Keel bone injury in laying hens: the prevalence of injuries in relation to different housing systems, implications, and potential solutions

Hardin, Elizabeth E.; Castro, F.L.S.; Kim, W. K.

doi:10.1017/s0043933919000011

Cited by 33 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Previous studies have suggested that brown birds suffer more keel bone damage because of higher body mass, lower navigational and motor skills, and strain specific behaviors ( Scholz et al., 2014 ; Eusemann et al., 2018 ). Hardin et al. (2019) , in a review, compared the prevalence of keel damage in 3 housing systems (conventional, enriched, or cage free), as well as genetic line and age.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strain differences and effects of different stocking densities during rearing on the musculoskeletal development of pullets

et al. 2020

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There are few published studies on the effect of stocking density ( SD ) of pullets, particularly between different genetic lines. The objectives of this study were to determine if strain or SD affects musculoskeletal development of pullets and determine any impact on the productivity and keel bone health of adult hens. Lohmann Selected Leghorn Lite ( LSL ), Dekalb White ( DW ), and Lohmann Brown ( LB ) pullets were reared at 4 different SD (247 cm 2 /bird, 270 cm 2 /bird, 299 cm 2 /bird, and 335 cm 2 /bird) in large cages furnished with elevated perches and a platform. At 16 wk of age, the keel bone, the muscles of the breast, wings, and legs, and the long bones of the wings and legs were collected to compare keel bone development, muscle growth, and bone breaking strength ( BBS ) between strain (adjusted for bodyweight) and SD treatments. Stocking density did not have an effect on the metasternum length, height, or area of the keel bone, the weights of the bicep brachii, pectoralis major or pectoralis minor, or the BBS of any of the selected bones. However, strain differences were found for all keel bone characteristics, all muscle weights, and the majority of BBS measures. The keel metasternum, height, and overall area of the keel bone were found to be smaller in LB pullets compared with LSL and DW pullets ( P < 0.0001); however, cartilage length and overall percentage of the cartilage present on the keel bone was greatest in LB pullets ( P < 0.0001). Leg muscles were heaviest in LB pullets ( P < 0.05); however, breast muscles were heavier in LSL and DW pullets ( P < 0.0001). Lohmann Brown pullets had lower BBS of the tibia ( P < 0.0001) and femur ( P < 0.0001) compared with LSL and DW pullets, whereas DW pullets had greater BBS of the humerus ( P = 0.033). Additionally, there was a higher prevalence of keel bone fractures at 50 wk of age in LB hens compared with DW ( P = 0.0144). Overall, SD during rearing used in this study had little impact on the musculoskeletal growth of pullets; however, significant differences were found between strains which may reflect strain-specific behavior. Additionally, differences in keel bone development between strains may lead to differences in keel bone damage in adult hens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strain differences and effects of different stocking densities during rearing on the musculoskeletal development of pullets

et al. 2020

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“…KBF are closely linked to hen age ( Eusemann et al, 2018b , 2020 ), with the most dramatic increase in prevalence reported to occur between the onset and peak of lay (i.e., 25 to 35 wk of age; Harlander-Matauschek et al, 2015 ). In order to cover the high calcium demand for egg production, laying hens mobilize 40% to 60% of their daily calcium requirements from the skeleton ( Johnson, 2015 ).…”

Section: Bird Age and Strain Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two of the most frequently cited publications (Google Scholar, September 2019) dealing with KBF incidence present end-of-lay prevalence rates of 97% and 86% among commercial flocks in Belgium and the Netherlands ( Rodenburg et al, 2008 ; 98 citations) and the UK ( Wilkins et al, 2011 ; 102 citations). Despite other studies reporting relatively low prevalence for similarly aged birds housed under similar commercial conditions (11.6%; Riber and Hinrichsen, 2016 ; 11 citations), KBF prevalence is often described using phrases such as “over 85%” ( Casey-Trott and Widowski, 2016 ), “up to 85%” ( Hardin et al, 2019 ), “up to 90%” ( Richards et al, 2011 ), “up to 80%” ( Nasr et al, 2015 ), “greater than 50%” ( Toscano et al, 2018 ), or “52% to 73%” ( Lay et al, 2011 ). The variation in the way in which KBF prevalence is reported makes it difficult to identify the actual extent of the problem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Keel bone fractures in laying hens: a systematic review of prevalence across age, housing systems, and strains

Rufener

Makagon

2020

Journal of Animal Science

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“…Keel bone damage is frequently observed in commercial laying hens and is considered an important welfare issue due to their painful nature and influence on performance (Hardin et al 2019). While the appearance of keel bone damage is multifactorial, it is found both in conventional and organic housing systems.…”

Section: Animal Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

Dual-purpose production of eggs and meat—part 2: hens of crosses between layer and meat breeds show moderate laying performance but choose feed with less protein than a layer hybrid, indicating the potential to reduce protein in diets

Baldinger¹,

Bussemas²

2020

Org. Agr.

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The use of modern chicken genotypes with high egg or meat performance results in the ethically unacceptable practice of culling day-old male layer chicks because of their inefficient fattening performance. Dual-purpose genotypes with a balanced performance profile for eggs and meat are one option to avoid this practice. In this study, the performance of four crosses of a layer breed (White Rock or New Hampshire) and the meat breed Bresse Gauloise, purebred Bresse Gauloise and the layer hybrid Lohmann Sandy was compared under organic husbandry conditions. Part 2 focuses on the laying performance of the hens until the age of 72 weeks and their feed choices when offered energy-rich and protein-rich feed mixtures. Feed consumption was generally high (133–143 g day−1), but the crosses consumed less protein feed than Lohmann Sandy, indicating a potential to reduce the proportion of high-protein components. Bresse Gauloise × White Rock showed severe plumage loss due to feather pecking, which was most likely caused by their low consumption of protein feed. Apparently, free-choice feeding did not agree with this genotype. Average laying performance of the crosses was 68–73% total eggs per average hen, which can be considered moderate. Average egg weights and egg size distribution were comparable with Lohmann Sandy, while slaughter performance of the senior hens was comparable with purebred Bresse Gauloise. Based on these findings, egg production with dual-purpose laying hens can be an ethically desirable alternative to high-performance genotypes, but will require further research on optimal feeding strategies and animal behaviour. Trial registered on July 7, 2017 (reference number V 241-26532/2017)

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Keel bone injury in laying hens: the prevalence of injuries in relation to different housing systems, implications, and potential solutions

Cited by 33 publications

References 30 publications

Strain differences and effects of different stocking densities during rearing on the musculoskeletal development of pullets

Strain differences and effects of different stocking densities during rearing on the musculoskeletal development of pullets

Keel bone fractures in laying hens: a systematic review of prevalence across age, housing systems, and strains

Dual-purpose production of eggs and meat—part 2: hens of crosses between layer and meat breeds show moderate laying performance but choose feed with less protein than a layer hybrid, indicating the potential to reduce protein in diets

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