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Histologically validated scoring system for the assessment of hock burn in broilers
H Louton1, A Piller1, S Bergmann1
1Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene and Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Avian Pathology : Journal of the W.V.P.A
|January 24, 2020
Summary
This study validated a visual scoring system for broiler hock burn, finding it can estimate lesion severity. Higher visual scores correlated with deeper, more severe histological lesions, aiding welfare assessment.
Area of Science:
- Animal Welfare Science
- Veterinary Pathology
- Poultry Science
Background:
- Assessing bird welfare is crucial, with indicators like hock burn requiring reliable evaluation methods.
- Visual scoring systems are practical for on-farm welfare assessment but need validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To histologically validate a visual scoring system for broiler hock burn.
- To determine threshold values for visual scores indicating welfare-relevant lesions (mild or ulcers).
Main Methods:
- Collected 200 broiler hocks (Ross 308) post-slaughter for visual (macro score 0-4) and histological (micro score 0-3) evaluation.
- Used multinomial logistic regression to estimate probabilities of histological scores based on visual scores.
- Measured lesion depth histologically.
Main Results:
- A tendency for higher micro scores with increasing macro scores was observed.
- Macro scores 3 and 4 consistently indicated ulcers (micro score 3).
- Inflammation depth increased with macro scores, reaching an average of 1019 µm at macro score 3.
Conclusions:
- The validated macroscopic assessment scheme provides a reliable estimation of histological alterations in broiler hocks.
- The system aids in identifying welfare-relevant hock lesions, though limitations exist for precise thresholding of mild lesions.
- Visual assessment of hock burn severity correlates with histological findings, supporting its use in welfare evaluations.
