Interesting work by a group of Danish researchers
hints that it may in future be possible to select against the susceptibility of
broiler to foot pad dermatitis (FPD) without adversely affecting performance.
Scientist at the Danish Institute of Agricultural
Science in Tjele found that, at 0.31, the heritability for susceptibility to foot
pad dermatitis pad lesions was quite high compared to the heritability for body
weight. The hertability of hock burn (HB) susceptibility, however, was only
0.08 and so a solution to this condition trhough selection is unlikely.
A total of more than 2000 birds from 2 strains
(fast-growing and slow-growing) were allocated to groups in two time-separated
replicates. The development of foot pad dermatitis and hock burn were recorded
weekly from day 8 to slaughter on a sample of the live animals. The feet and
hocks of all birds were investigated at slaughter (4 or 6 weeks form the
fast-growing strain and 8 or 10 weeks for the slow-growing strain).
No foot pad dermatitis lesions and very few low-grade
hock burn were found in slow-growing birds. In the fast-growing strain, the
first signs oh both lesions were seen in week 2, and the incidence of both type
of lesions increased therafter. Bodyweight did not affect foot pad dermatitis
but more hock burn was found at higher bodyweight.
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