Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets
Previous research indicates that the musculoskeletal development of pullets is improved when pullets are reared in aviaries compared to conventional rearing cages. However, there are considerable differences in rearing aviary design. To measure locomotion and musculoskeletal development of brown (&l...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/634 |
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| author | Amanda Pufall Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek Michelle Hunniford Tina M. Widowski |
| author_facet | Amanda Pufall Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek Michelle Hunniford Tina M. Widowski |
| author_sort | Amanda Pufall |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Previous research indicates that the musculoskeletal development of pullets is improved when pullets are reared in aviaries compared to conventional rearing cages. However, there are considerable differences in rearing aviary design. To measure locomotion and musculoskeletal development of brown (<i>n</i> = 7) and white-feathered (<i>n</i> = 8) strains of pullets, 15 commercial flocks in three styles of rearing aviaries differing in structural complexity (<i>n</i> = 5 per style) were visited three times: 25.9 ± 6.67, 68.0 ± 4.78, and 112.1 ± 3.34 days of age. Locomotion (duration of standing, sitting, walking, running, flying, and rates jumping, flying, group running and walking) was analysed from videos recorded three times per day: at the beginning, middle, and end of the light cycle. Pullets for dissection were taken on visits 2 and 3. Pullets in the most complex system (style 3; S3) spent the most time locomoting throughout rearing (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Pullets in S3, particularly white-feathered strains, performed the highest rate of vertical transitions (<i>p</i> < 0.05). There were no differences in any of the proportional muscle weights between aviaries styles (<i>p</i> > 0.05) despite the differences in locomotion. White-feathered strains, however, had proportionally heavier pectoralis major (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), pectoralis minor (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), and lighter leg muscles (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) than brown-feathered strains. White-feathered strains and pullets in S3 also had proportionally stronger tibiae and femurs than brown-feathered strains and pullets housed in the least structurally complex system (style 1; S1) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, there were no differences found in the breaking strength of the radius and humerus between strain colours or aviary styles (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Therefore, strain, as well as differences in rearing aviary design, can affect the types of locomotion that growing pullets perform, which may, in turn, impact their skeletal development. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:17:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7427a12c232a418cab01216a8ff2c249 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:17:48Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-7427a12c232a418cab01216a8ff2c2492023-12-03T11:50:40ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-02-0111363410.3390/ani11030634Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer PulletsAmanda Pufall0Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek1Michelle Hunniford2Tina M. Widowski3Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaDepartment of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaBurnbrae Farms, Lyn, ON K0E 1M0, CanadaDepartment of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, CanadaPrevious research indicates that the musculoskeletal development of pullets is improved when pullets are reared in aviaries compared to conventional rearing cages. However, there are considerable differences in rearing aviary design. To measure locomotion and musculoskeletal development of brown (<i>n</i> = 7) and white-feathered (<i>n</i> = 8) strains of pullets, 15 commercial flocks in three styles of rearing aviaries differing in structural complexity (<i>n</i> = 5 per style) were visited three times: 25.9 ± 6.67, 68.0 ± 4.78, and 112.1 ± 3.34 days of age. Locomotion (duration of standing, sitting, walking, running, flying, and rates jumping, flying, group running and walking) was analysed from videos recorded three times per day: at the beginning, middle, and end of the light cycle. Pullets for dissection were taken on visits 2 and 3. Pullets in the most complex system (style 3; S3) spent the most time locomoting throughout rearing (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Pullets in S3, particularly white-feathered strains, performed the highest rate of vertical transitions (<i>p</i> < 0.05). There were no differences in any of the proportional muscle weights between aviaries styles (<i>p</i> > 0.05) despite the differences in locomotion. White-feathered strains, however, had proportionally heavier pectoralis major (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), pectoralis minor (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), and lighter leg muscles (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) than brown-feathered strains. White-feathered strains and pullets in S3 also had proportionally stronger tibiae and femurs than brown-feathered strains and pullets housed in the least structurally complex system (style 1; S1) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, there were no differences found in the breaking strength of the radius and humerus between strain colours or aviary styles (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Therefore, strain, as well as differences in rearing aviary design, can affect the types of locomotion that growing pullets perform, which may, in turn, impact their skeletal development.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/634aviaryrearingpoultry welfarelocomotionmusculoskeletal development |
| spellingShingle | Amanda Pufall Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek Michelle Hunniford Tina M. Widowski Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets Animals aviary rearing poultry welfare locomotion musculoskeletal development |
| title | Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets |
| title_full | Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets |
| title_short | Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets |
| title_sort | effects of rearing aviary style and genetic strain on the locomotion and musculoskeletal characteristics of layer pullets |
| topic | aviary rearing poultry welfare locomotion musculoskeletal development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/634 |
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