Fracture morphology and ossification process of the keel bone in modern laying hens based on radiographic imaging.

Keel bone fractures (KBF) are one of the most important welfare problems in commercial laying hens. Despite extensive research on the matter, its etiology remains unclear. Studying fracture characteristics in radiographic images can aid in the understanding of the disorder.

Mortality risk on farm and during transport: a comparison of 2 broiler hybrids with different growth rates.

Mortality in broilers is often associated with poor health and welfare and has a complex and multifactorial etiology. Recent studies under experimental conditions indicated that genetic selection for fast growth is an important risk factor for mortality in broiler chickens. However, the knowledge on broiler mortality in general, and in slower growing broilers in particular, under commercial conditions is still limited.

A walk through the broiler breeder life: how do footpad dermatitis and gait scores develop from rearing to slaughter?

The two most common animal-based indicators used to evaluate leg health in broiler chickens are footpad dermatitis (FPD) and gait scoring, but these indicators are less explored in broiler breeders. This study is the first to investigate FPD and gait scoring in broiler breeders during their lifespan from rearing to end of life. In total, eight flocks were monitored (four Ross and four Hubbard) at five different timepoints, in rearing (5 and 15 weeks of age), during the production period (25 and 45 weeks of age) and at the end of the production period (approximately 60 weeks of age).

Health effects of feed dilution and roughage in Ross 308 broiler breeder cockerels.

To ensure reproductivity and prevent obesity, broiler breeder's growth rate is controlled by quantitative feed restriction. However, feed restriction is associated with chronic hunger, frustration, and abnormal behaviors, thus representing a welfare problem. Feed diluted with insoluble fiber is an alternative, allowing larger amounts of feed and more gut filling, increasing satiety without increasing the caloric intake.

Effect of light sources with and without UVA on selected behavior and health indicators in commercial broiler breeder flocks.

As new light sources are being developed for poultry houses, systematic investigations on how these influence behavior and health in commercial broiler breeders are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 light sources (Evolys with UVA (LED) and Biolux 965 (CFL)) on the behavior and health of 2 broiler breeder hybrids during the production period. Eight commercial breeder flocks (Ross 308 n = 4, Hubbard JA757 n = 4) with Evolys (Ross n = 2, Hubbard n = 2) or Biolux (Ross n = 2, Hubbard n = 2) were visited at 25 and 50 wk of age to record behavior and health.

Causes of carcass condemnation in Norwegian aviary housed layers.

Background: Meat inspection data is commonly used to monitor health and welfare in commercial broiler production; however, less used in layers. Slaughterhouse records can provide insight into animal and herd health and identify important health and welfare challenges. To gain knowledge of health issues in commercial aviary housed laying hens, the aim of this repeated cross-sectional study was to describe the occurrence and causes of carcass condemnation, including dead-on-arrivals (DOA), in commercial aviary housed layers in Norway, and to explore seasonal patterns and correlation between DOA and number of carcass condemnations.

The Aviary Transect-a practical welfare assessment tool to improve the management of cage-free laying hens.

The Aviary Transect (AT) is a method for assessing welfare in cage-free laying hen flocks, and comprises standardized walks along each aisle screening the flock for selected welfare indicators: feather loss (FL) on head, back, breast, and tail, wounds on head, back, tail, and feet, dirty plumage, enlarged crop, sickness, and birds found dead. The method is quick (20 min for a flock of 7,500 hens), has good interobserver agreement and shows positive correlations with individual bird sampling methods. However, it is less clear whether AT can be used to detect differences in flock health and welfare related to housing and management.

Comparison of carcass condemnation causes in two broiler hybrids differing in growth rates.

Experimental studies concluded that genetic factors enabling fast growth rate might negatively affect broiler health and welfare. Recently, the proportion of slower-growing broilers has been increasing. However, studies of health in broilers with different growth rates in commercial systems are still scarce.

Flock Factors Correlated with Elevated Mortality in Non-Beak Trimmed Aviary-Housed Layers.

The use of non-cage housing systems for layers is increasing in Europe and elsewhere. Knowledge of factors that may affect mortality in these systems is important to be able to improve animal welfare, reduce mortality and enhance sustainability. The aim of this study was to investigate factors that may contribute to increased mortality in non-beak trimmed aviary-housed laying hens in Norway.

Description of Light Environment in Broiler Breeder Houses with Different Light Sources-And How It Differs from Natural Forest Light.

Light is a key factor in poultry production; however, there is still a lack of knowledge as to describing the light quality, how to measure the light environment as perceived by birds, and how artificial light compares with the light in the natural forest habitats of their wild ancestors. The aim of this study was to describe the light environment in broiler breeder houses with three different light sources, using two different methods of light assessment. We also aimed to compare an artificial light environment with the light in a range of relevant natural forest habitats.

End of lay postmortem findings in aviary housed laying hens.

Good health and low mortality are constitutive elements of good animal welfare. In laying hens, mortality and pathological findings are usually reported as cumulative proportions from onset of lay to culling. However, knowledge of pathological lesions and causes of death specifically toward the end of the production period are scarce.

Keel bone fractures in broiler breeders: is palpation a reliable diagnostic method?

The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of palpation relative to necropsy for detection of keel bone fractures (KBF) in broiler breeders. In addition, the study investigated observer reliability of palpation. Four commercial breeder flocks (Ross 308  = 2, Ranger Gold  = 1, Hubbard JA 757,  = 1) were included in the study.

Effect of perch access on perching, health and production outcomes in commercial broiler breeder flocks.

There is a need for more knowledge about perch use in broiler breeders and the potential effects of perches on health and production outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of perches by commercial broiler breeders, effect of perch access on keel bone fractures (KBF), footpad dermatitis (FPD) and number of floor eggs. Two commercial breeder flocks (Ross 308) reared at the same facility were observed during the production period.

Environmental enrichment in commercial flocks of aviary housed laying hens: relationship with plumage condition and fearfulness.

Management strategies can have positive effects on laying hen welfare, including prevention of damaging behavior, aggression, and fear, particularly by using environmental enrichment (EE). However, few studies have investigated the effects of the provision of EE in commercial aviary flocks. This knowledge gap is particularly significant considering the increasing numbers of non-beak trimmed hens worldwide kept in aviaries.

Estimating Potential for Drug Budget Reallocation Following Expiration of Exclusivity of Pharmaceutical Products.

The prioritization of public funds in an equitable and ethically sound manner along with efficient budget allocation are key challenges for governments and budget holders. Following the introduction of generics/biosimilars, the potential total budget made available for reallocation resulting from the loss of exclusivity (LOE) in a given market has not been estimated. This study investigated the impact of generic/biosimilar entry on drug budget in 4 countries.

Developing a novel welfare assessment tool for loose-housed laying hens - the Aviary Transect method.

This study compared welfare assessment results in aviary flocks using 3 approaches: 1) A novel Aviary Transect method, 2) AssureWel, and 3) the Norwegian farm advisors' NorWel method. The Aviary Transect time requirement, interobserver reliability, and within- and across-house sensitivity to detect welfare indicators were also evaluated. The study was conducted on 6 randomly chosen commercial white-strain layer flocks of similar age and flock size, kept in multitiered aviaries.

Keel bone fractures are more prevalent in White Leghorn hens than in Red Jungle fowl hens-A pilot study.

Fractures and deviations to the keel bone are common in commercial laying hens, with reported variations in occurrence across strains and breeds. The aetiology is not fully understood, however, modern genetics and selection for efficient egg production has been claimed to be important factors for the keel bone fractures. To explore this further, we investigated keel bones from two different breeds, representing different degrees of selection for egg production: Red jungle fowl (n = 82), and White Leghorn (n = 32), where the latter is a selected laying breed which is the origin for many modern laying hen hybrids.

A Descriptive Study of Keel Bone Fractures in Hens and Roosters from Four Non-Commercial Laying Breeds Housed in Furnished Cages.

The presence of keel bone fractures (KBF) in laying hens has been documented and discussed by several authors, nevertheless the causative factors behind KBF remain uncertain. High prevalence of KBF have been reported in all commercial egg production systems, in different genetic lines and at different ages. Several of the proposed causal mechanisms behind KBF are linked to selection for efficient production.

Prevalence of Keel Bone Damage in Red Jungle Fowls ()-A Pilot Study.

Keel bone damage (KBD) is a highly prevalent problem in commercial egg production. KBD consists of two different conditions affecting the keel: Keel bone deviation and keel bone fractures (KBF). Deviations are linked to pressure on the keel, e.

Explanations for keel bone fractures in laying hens: are there explanations in addition to elevated egg production?

The current article served to provide the most up-to-date information regarding the causes of keel bone fracture. Although elevated and sustained egg production is likely a major contributing factor toward fractures, new information resulting from the development of novel methodologies suggests complementary causes that should be investigated. We identified 4 broad areas that could explain variation and increased fractures independent of or complementing elevated and sustained egg production: the age at first egg, late ossification of the keel, predisposing bone diseases, and inactivity leading to poor bone health.

An Evaluation of Two Different Broiler Catching Methods.

Catching is the first step in the pre-slaughter chain for broiler chickens. The process may be detrimental for animal welfare due to the associated handling. The aim of this pilot study was to compare two different methods to manually catch broilers: Catching the broilers by two legs and carrying them inverted (LEGS) or catching the broilers under the abdomen and carrying them in an upright position (UPRIGHT).

Comparison of flock characteristics, journey duration and pathology between flocks with a normal and a high percentage of broilers 'dead-on-arrival' at abattoirs.

This study investigated high mortality in broilers transported to slaughter in Norway by comparing data from flocks with normal and high mortality during transportation. The data sources consisted of necropsy findings in 535 broilers dead-on-arrival (DOA), production data and slaughterhouse data, along with average journey duration for the 61 associated flocks. The mean Norwegian DOA% for 2015 was 0.

A comparison of post-mortem findings in broilers dead-on-farm and broilers dead-on-arrival at the abattoir.

Broiler mortality during transport to abattoirs (dead-on-arrival/DOA) evokes concern due to compromised animal welfare and associated economic losses. The general aim of this study was to characterize pathological lesions associated with mortality in broilers close to slaughter. The specific aim was to investigate whether disease at the end of the growth period may be a predisposing factor for DOA by describing and comparing the pathological findings in broilers dead-on-farm (DOF) in the final days of the production cycle and in broilers DOA from the same flocks.