Evaluating the Incidence of Gastrocnemius Tendon Rupture in Broiler Chickens
Abstract:
The effect of feeding 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid (3-nitro) in broiler diets during low (May) and high (July) temperature months on the incidence of gastrocnemius tendon rupture (GTR) was evaluated in this study. All observations were made at a single processing plant during the months of May and July, 2010. The average live body weight (BW) of birds processed in May and July were 3.8 and 3.6 kg, respectively. The birds processed in May were fed 3-nitro in starter and grower diets (22 g/ton), whereas birds processed in July were fed 3-nitro in grower (34 g/ton) and finisher (22 g/ton) diets. Affected gastrocnemius tendons were classified as fibrosed and trimmables tendons, with trimmables subdivided into acute or chronic tendons. Data analysis by Poisson regression showed higher incidences of acute and fibrosed tendons in the month of May when compared to the month of July. Although GTR can be caused by pathogenic and non-pathogenic factors, in this field study a higher incidence of GTR observed in birds reared during low temperature months may be associated with a heavier live BW of the birds and the introduction of 3-nitro early (starter diet) in the grow-out period.
How to cite this article
A.O. Sokale, E.D. Peebles, P.A. Stayer, T.S. Cummings and R.W. Wills, 2013. Evaluating the Incidence of Gastrocnemius Tendon Rupture in Broiler Chickens. International Journal of Poultry Science, 12: 685-688.
REFERENCES
Bufundo, K.W., B.F. Schlegel, L.V. Tonkinson and D.J. Donovan, 1989. Effect of narasin and roxarsone combinations on Eimeria tenella infections in floor pen-raised broilers. Poult. Sci., 68: 1011-1014.
PubMed
Hill, J.E., G.N. Rowland, J.R. Glisson and P. Villegas, 1989. Comparative microscopic lesions in reoviral and Staphylococcal tenosynovitis. Avian Dis., 33: 401-410.
PubMed
Julian, R.J., 1998. Rapid growth problems: Ascites and skeletal deformities in broilers. Poult. Sci., 77: 1773-1780.
CrossRef PubMed Direct Link
Laster, C.P., F.J. Hoerr, S.F. Bilgil and S.A. Kincaid, 1999. Effects of dietary roxarsone supplementation, lighting program and season on the incidence of leg abnormalities in broiler chickens. Poult. Sci., 78: 197-203.
PubMed
Morris, M.P., 1993. National survey of leg problems. Broiler Ind., Vol. 6.
Riddell, C., 1992. Non-Infectious Skeletal Disorders of Poultry: An Overview. In: Bone Biology and Skeletal Disorders in Poultry, Whitehead, C.C. (Ed.). Carfax Publishing, Abingdon, United Kingdom
SAS., 2008. SAS Proprietary Software, Release 9.2. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC., USA
Sorensen, P., G. Su and S.C. Kestin, 1999. The effect of photoperiod: Scotoperiod on leg weakness in broiler chickens. Poult. Sci., 78: 336-342.
PubMed
Waldroup, P.W., A.L. Izat, R.A. Primo, P.F. Twining and J.A. Herbert et al., 1990. The effect of zinc bacitracin and roxarsone on performance of broiler chickens when fed in combination with narasin. Poult. Sci., 69: 898-901.
PubMed
Waldroup, P.W., S.E. Watkins, E.A. Saleh, J.W. Kessler, C.S. Roney and J.T. Skinner, 1995. Effect of dietary roxarsone level on leg condition of male broilers. J. Applied Poult. Res., 4: 186-192.
CrossRef Direct Link
© Science Alert. All Rights Reserved