Gait analysis in laying hens and broilers with and without leg disorders

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Biomechanics
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Selective breeding for high body weight in broilers alters anatomy and locomotion.
• Rapidly growing broilers exhibit a high incidence of leg disorders, impairing mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and quantify locomotion patterns in broilers and laying hens.
• To differentiate gait characteristics between healthy broilers and those with leg disorders.

Main Methods:

• Videotracking of marked body points (cloacal region, foot joints) during treadmill locomotion.
• Recording and plotting vertical and horizontal movements of marked points against time.
• Utilizing a PC-operated videotracking system connected to a posterior camera.

Main Results:

• Distinct kinetograms demonstrate differing gait patterns between broilers and layers.
• Layers exhibit a straight-line body movement, placing legs under the center of gravity.
• Broilers display lateral shifts of the center of gravity, potentially due to anatomical changes.
• Limping in broilers correlates with measurable differences in leg movement symmetry.

Conclusions:

• Gait analysis effectively quantifies locomotion differences in poultry.
• Broiler locomotion patterns are distinct from layers and are affected by leg health.
• This technique can objectively assess the severity of leg disorders in broilers.