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Possible risk factors for keel bone damage in organic laying hens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2019

L. Jung ,
K. Niebuhr ,
L. K. Hinrichsen ,
S. Gunnarsson ,
C. Brenninkmeyer ,
M. Bestman ,
J. Heerkens ,
P. Ferrari  and
U. Knierim
L. Jung*
Affiliation:
Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Section, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
K. Niebuhr
Affiliation:
Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
L. K. Hinrichsen
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Foulum, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
S. Gunnarsson
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 234, S-532 23 Skara, Sweden
C. Brenninkmeyer
Affiliation:
Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Section, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
M. Bestman
Affiliation:
Louis Bolk Institute, Kosterijland 3-5, 3981AJ Bunnik, The Netherlands
J. Heerkens
Affiliation:
Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), Animal Sciences Unit, Scheldeweg 68, B-9090 Melle, Belgium
P. Ferrari
Affiliation:
CRPA Research Centre for Animal Production, Viale Timavo 43/2, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
U. Knierim
Affiliation:
Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Section, University of Kassel, Nordbahnhofstr. 1a, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
*
†E-mail: lisajung@wiz.uni-kassel.de
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Abstract

Keel bone damage (KBD) in laying hens is an important welfare problem in both conventional and organic egg production systems. We aimed to identify possible risk factors for KBD in organic hens by analysing cross-sectional data of 107 flocks assessed in eight European countries. Due to partly missing data, the final multiple regression model was based on data from 50 flocks. Keel bone damage included fractures and/or deviations, and was recorded, alongside with other animal based measures, by palpation and visual inspection of at least 50 randomly collected hens per flock between 52 and 73 weeks of age. Management and housing data were obtained by interviews, inspection and by feed analysis. Keel bone damage flock prevalences ranged from 3% to 88%. Compiled on the basis of literature and practical experience, 26 potential associative factors of KBD went into an univariable selection by Spearman correlation analysis or Mann–Whitney U test (with P<0.1 level). The resulting nine factors were presented to stepwise forward linear regression modelling. Aviary v. floor systems, absence of natural daylight in the hen house, a higher proportion of underweight birds, as well as a higher laying performance were found to be significantly associated with a higher percentage of hens with KBD. The final model explained 32% of the variation in KBD between farms. The moderate explanatory value of the model underlines the multifactorial nature of KBD. Based on the results increased attention should be paid to an adequate housing design and lighting that allows the birds easy orientation and safe manoeuvring in the system. Furthermore, feeding management should aim at sufficient bird live weights that fulfil breeder weight standards. In order to achieve a better understanding of the relationships between laying performance, feed management and KBD further investigations are needed.

Keywords

welfarekeel bone fractureskeel bone deviationpalpationepidemiological study
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 13 , Issue 10 , October 2019 , pp. 2356 - 2364
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2019 

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Footnotes

a

Present address: Aeres University of Applied Sciences, De Drieslag 4, 8251JZ Dronten, The Netherlands.

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