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Keel bone differences in laying hens housed in enriched colony cages
Nicholas J Chargo1, Cara I Robison1, Hope O Akaeze2
1Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
Poultry Science
|September 22, 2018
Summary
Keel bone damage in laying hens primarily occurs early in production, particularly in the distal section. This study tracked bone integrity over time using computed tomography (CT) scans to identify damage patterns.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Keel bone damage in laying hens can cause pain and reduce productivity.
- Understanding the timing and location of damage is crucial for improving hen welfare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency, position, and timing of keel bone damage in W-36 laying hens housed in enriched colony cages.
- To assess changes in keel bone integrity throughout the production cycle.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study using computed tomography (CT) scans to evaluate keel bone integrity in 120 laying hens at four time points.
- 3D modeling and superimposition of keel bone scans to track morphological changes.
- Analysis of damage in specific bone portions (distal, proximal, middle) over 21-day and 133-day periods.
Main Results:
- Significant keel bone morphological changes were observed during the initial 21-day period (P = 0.03).
- The distal aspect of the keel bone showed the most pronounced damage (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Early production phases are critical for the onset of keel bone damage in laying hens.
- Targeted interventions during the first 21 days of production may mitigate keel bone integrity loss.
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