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Growth Dependent Changes in Pressure Sensing Walkway Data for Turkeys.
Jody A Kremer1, Cara I Robison1, Darrin M Karcher2
1Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
|October 26, 2018
Summary
Genetic selection in turkeys causes skeletal issues and lameness. A study using a pressure-sensing walkway found no gait abnormalities in growing turkey hens, indicating potential for early detection of welfare concerns.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Science
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Rapid growth in turkeys due to genetic selection leads to skeletal distortions, causing lameness and welfare concerns.
- Locomotor problems and gait abnormalities in turkeys impact animal agriculture efficiency and product yield.
- Baseline data on gait and force distribution in healthy turkeys are needed to identify early signs of skeletal issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish baseline gait parameters and force distribution in unimpaired, growing commercial turkey hens.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a pressure-sensing walkway (PSW) in detecting potential locomotor abnormalities.
- To provide insights into turkey hen well-being and skeletal health during rapid growth phases.
Main Methods:
- One hundred Hendrix commercial turkey hen poults were raised under standard conditions.
- Fifty hens were selected at 5 weeks of age for longitudinal data collection.
- Turkeys were walked across a pressure-sensing walkway (PSW) at 5, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age to record gait and force data.
Main Results:
- Body weight increased linearly with age, consistent with typical growth patterns.
- No significant differences were found between right and left leg gait cycle time and peak vertical force (PVF), indicating no detectable lameness.
- Gait velocity and PVF increased with age, with PVF/kg body weight also increasing from 6 to 8 weeks of age.
Conclusions:
- Visibly unimpaired growing turkey hens exhibited normal gait and force distribution on the PSW.
- The pressure-sensing walkway (PSW) shows potential as a tool for detecting subclinical locomotor issues in commercial turkey hens.
- Monitoring gait and force distribution can contribute to assessing and improving turkey well-being and addressing skeletal health challenges.
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