Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T01:16:44.045Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Skeletal integrity in layers at the completion of egg production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

S. Newman  and
S. Leeson
S. Newman
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
S. Leeson*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
*
*To whom correspondence should be addressed
Get access

Abstract

Skeletal integrity of end-of-lay birds is becoming a major concern for both egg producers and meat processors. Osteoporosis induced by continual demands for shell calcification causes loss in skeletal integrity as the layer gets older. This loss in bone structure, coupled with minimal exercise, leads to very fragile bones in older birds. Bone breakage as high as 20% has been reported in birds entering the processing plant, while some degree of bone breakage is found in a much higher proportion of eviscerated carcasses. Bone breakage on the farm, during transport and subsequent handling is obviously a welfare concern, while processors are also concerned about bone contamination of meat products. Factors affecting the development of osteoporosis are discussed and include genetics, level of egg production, environment and nutrition. There is no simple solution to the problem in terms of long-term or short-term nutritional modification. In the case of caged birds, bone strength characteristics can be improved by removing them to other systems for a period of time prior to transport, although this is rarely a commercial solution. However, so-called alternative housing systems are themselves responsible for skeletal defects in some birds.

Keywords

Osteoporosisskeletal integritylaying hen
Type
Research Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 53 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 265 - 277
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abe, E., Horikawa, H., Masumura, T., Sugahara, M., Kubata, M. and Suda, T. (1982) Disorders of cholecalciferol metabolism in old egg-laying hens. Journal of Nutrition 112: 436–446Google Scholar
Baker, M., Brake, J. and McDaniel, G.R. (1983) The relationship between body weight loss during an induced molt and postmolt egg production, egg weight, and shell quality in caged layers. Poultry Science 62: 409–413Google Scholar
Beckett, A.M. (1992) Impacts of bone problems on the egg industry.In: Poultry Science Symposium 23: Bone Biology and Skeletal Disorders in Poultry,Carfax Publishing CompanyGoogle Scholar
Bell, D.E. (1990) Vitamin C in laying hen diets. Poultry Science 69: 1900–1904Google Scholar
Belyavin, C. (1995) Bone problems and increasing ailment in layers. World Poultry, Vol. 11, No. 6Google Scholar
Berry, W.D. and Brake, J. (1987) Postmolt performance of laying hens molted by high dietary zinc, low dietary sodium, and fasting: egg production and eggshell quality. Poultry Science 66: 218–226Google Scholar
Berry, W.D. and Brake, J. (1991) Induced molt increases eggshell quality and calbindin-D28k content of eggshell gland and duodenum of aging hens. Poultry Science 70: 655–657Google Scholar
Brown, R.H. (1994) Egg producers pay to remove spent hens. Feedstuffs, 3 October 1994Google Scholar
Cheng, T.K. and Coon, C.N. (1990) Effect of calcium source, particle size, limestone solubility in vitro, and calcium intake level on layer bone status and performance. Poultry Science 69: 2214–2219Google Scholar
Clunies, M., Parks, D. and Leeson, S. (1992a) Calcium and phosphorus metabolism and eggshell formation of hens fed different amounts of calcium. Poultry Science 71: 482–489Google Scholar
Clunies, M., Emslie, J. and Leeson, S. (1992b) Effect of dietary calcium level on medullary bone calcium reserves and shell weight of Leghorn hens. Poultry Science 71: 1348–1356Google Scholar
Cunningham, D.L. and McCormick, C.C. (1985) A multicycle comparison of dietary zinc and feed removal molting procedures: production and income performance. Poultry Science 64: 253–260Google Scholar
Dale, N. (1993) Possible relationship between bone strength and rib breakage: a case study. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 2: 303–306Google Scholar
Fleming, R.H., Whitehead, C.C., Alvey, D., Gregory, N.G. and Wilkins, L.J. (1994) Bone structure and breaking strength in laying hens housed in different husbandry conditions. British Poultry Science 35: 651–662Google Scholar
Freeman, B. M. (1984) Physiology and Biochemistry of the Domestic Fowl, Academic Press, LondonGoogle Scholar
Frost, T.J. and Roland, D.A. (1991) Current methods used in determination and evaluation of tibia strength: a correction study involving birds fed various levels of cholecalciferol. Poultry Science 70: 1640–1643Google Scholar
Frost, T.J., Roland, D.A. Jr. and Untawale, G.G. (1990) Influence of vitamin D3, 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on eggshell quality, tibia strength, and various production parameters in commercial laying hens. Poultry Science 69: 2008–2016Google Scholar
Georgievskii, V.I. (1981). The physiological role of macroelements. In: Mineral Nutrition of Animals (Georgievskii, V.I., Annenkov, B.N., Samokhin, V.I., Eds), Butterworths, LondonGoogle Scholar
Gregory, N.G. and Wilkins, L.J. (1989) Broken bones in domestic fowl: handling and processing damage in end-of-lay battery hens. British Poultry Science 30: 555–562Google Scholar
Gregory, N. G., Wilkins, L.J., Knowles, T.G., Sorensen, P. and Van Niekerk, T. (1994). Incidence of bone fractures in European layers. In: Proceedings of the Ninth European Poultry Conference, Glasgow, UK. Vol. 2,Walker and Connell Ltd.Google Scholar
Gross, T. S. and Bain, S.D. (1993) Skeletal adaptation to functional stimuli. In: Current Issues in Biomechanics (Grabiner, M. D., Ed.), Human Kinetics Books, Champaign, ILGoogle Scholar
Guinotte, F. and Nys, Y. (1991) Effects of particle size and origin of calcium sources on eggshell quality and bone mineralization in egg laying liens. Poultry Science 70: 583–592Google Scholar
Harner, J. P. III and Wilson, J.H. (1985) Effect of body size and cage profile on the shear strength of bones of caged layers. British Poultry Science 26: 543–548Google Scholar
Hodges, R. D. (1974) The Histology of the Fowl, Academic Press Inc, LondonGoogle Scholar
Holtrop, M. E. (1990) Light and electron microscopic structure of bone-forming cells. In: Bone Vo1.I: The Osteoblast and Osteocyte (Hall, B. K., Ed.), The Telford Press Inc, Caldwell, New Jersey, USAGoogle Scholar
Hughes, B.O. and Appleby, M.C. (1989) Increase in bone strength of spent laying hens housed in modified cages with perches. Veterinary Record 124: 483–484Google Scholar
Hudson, H. A. (1992) Effects of nutrition, age and sexual maturity on histomorphometric bone parameters of White Leghorn hens. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of GeorgiaGoogle Scholar
Hurwitz, S. (1992) The role of vitamin D in poultry bone biology. In: Poultry Science Symposium 23: Bone Biology and Skeletal Disorders in Poultry,Carfax Publishing CompanyGoogle Scholar
Keshavarz, K. and Nakajima, S. (1993) Re-evaluation of calcium and phosphorus requirements of laying hens for optimum performance and eggshell quality. Poultry Science 72: 144–153Google Scholar
Klingensmith, P.M. and Hester, P.Y. (1985) Effects of an induced molt and shell quality on the physical dimensions and mineral composition of eggs and intrauterine pH. Poultry Science 64: 2368–2376Google Scholar
Knowles, T.G. and Broom, D.M. (1990) Limb bone strength and movement in laying hens from different housing systems. Veterinary Record 126: 354–356Google Scholar
Leeson, S. and Summers, J.D. (1997) Commercial Poultry Nutrition, 2nd edn. University Books, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Leeson, S., Diaz, G. and Summers, J. D. (1995) Poultry Metabolic Disorders and Mycotoxins, University Books, Cuelph, Ontario, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Mandour, M.A., Nestor, K.E., Sacco, R.E., Polley, C.R. and Havenstein, G.B. (1989) Selection for increased humerus strength of cage-reared broilers. Poultry Science 68: 1168–1173Google Scholar
Maynard, L.A., Loosli, J.K., Hintz, H.F. and Warner, R.G. (1979). Animal Nutrition, 7th edn, McGraw-Hill Book CompanyGoogle Scholar
Meyer, W.A. and Sunde, M.L. (1974) Bone breakage as affected by type of housing and exercise machine for layers. Poultry Science 53: 878–885Google Scholar
McDowell, L. R. (1989) Vitamins in Animal Nutrition, Academic Press, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaGoogle Scholar
Miller, S.C. and Webster, S.S.J. (1992). Bone lining cells. In: Bone Vol IV: Bone Metabolism and Mineralization, CRC Press Inc.Google Scholar
Newman, S. (1995) Skeletal integrity of the commercially aged hen. MSc. Thesis, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, CanadaGoogle Scholar
North, M. O. (1984) Commercial Chicken Production. A.V.I. Publishing Company Inc, Westport, Connecticut, USAGoogle Scholar
NRC (1984) Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 8th edn (also 9th edn, 1994). Natural Academy Association, Washington, D.C.Google Scholar
Orban, J.I., Roland, D.A. Sr., Cummins, K. and R.T., LOVEllR.T. (1993) Influence of large doses of ascorbic acid on performance, plasma calcium, bone characteristics, and eggshell quality in broilers and Leghorn hens. Poultry Science 72: 691–700Google Scholar
Pardue, S.L. and Thaxton, J.P. (1986) Ascorbic acid in poultry: a review. World's Poultry Science Journal 42: 107–123Google Scholar
Price, J.S. and Russell, R.G.G. (1992). Bone remodelling: regulation by systemic and local factors. In: Poultry Science Symposium 23: Bone Biology and Skeletal Disorders in Poultry,Carfax Publishing CompanyGoogle Scholar
Rolon, A., Buhr, R.J. and Cunningham, D.L. (1993) Twenty-four-hour feed withdrawal and limited feeding as alternative methods for induction of molt in laying hens. Poultry Science 72: 776–785Google Scholar
Rowland, L.O. Jr. and Harms, R.H. (1970) The effect of wire pens, floor pens and cages on bone characteristics of laying hens. Poultry Science 49: 1223–1224Google Scholar
Scott, M. L., Nesheim, M.C. and Young, R.J. (1982) Nutrition of the Chicken. 3rd edn. M. L. Scott & Associates, Ithaca, New YorkGoogle Scholar
Taylor, A.A. and Hurnik, J.F. (1993) The effect of long-term housing in an aviary and battery cages on the physical condition of laying hens: body weight, feather condition, claw length, foot lesions, and tibia strength. Poultry Science 73: 268–273Google Scholar
Tenenhouse, H.S. (1990). The vitamin D endocrine system. In: Nutrition and Bone Development, (Simmons, D. J., Ed.), Oxford University Press, New YorkGoogle Scholar
Van Niekerk, Th. G.C.M. and Revuekamp, B.F.J. (1994) Husbandry factors and bone strength in laying hens. In: Proceedings of the Ninth European Poultry Conference, Glasgow, UK. Vol. 2,Walker and Connell LtdGoogle Scholar
Vaughn, H. (1975) The Physiology of Bone, Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press, LondonGoogle Scholar
Whitehead, C.C. (1994) Nutritional factors and bone structure in laying hens. In: Proceedings of the Ninth Etcropean Poultry Conference, Glasgow, UK. Vol. 2,Walker and Connell LtdGoogle Scholar
Whitehead, C.C. and S. Wilson, S. (1992). Characteristics of osteopenia in hens. In: Poultry Science Symposium 23: Bone Biology and Skeletal Disorders in Poultry,Carfax Publishing CompanyGoogle Scholar
Wilson, J.H. (1991) Bone strength of caged layers as affected by dietary calcium and phosphorus concentrations, reconditioning and ash content. British Poultry Science 32: 501–508Google Scholar
Wilson, S. and Duff, S.R.I. (1991) Effects of vitamin or mineral deficiency on the morphology of medullary bone in laying hens. Research Veterinary Science 50: 216–221Google Scholar
Wilson, S. and Hughes, B.O. (1993) Effects of perches on trabecular bone volume in laying hens. Research Veterinary Science 54: 207–211Google Scholar
Zimmermann, N.G., Andrews, D.K. and McGinnis, J. (1987) Comparison of several induced molting methods on subsequent performance of Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Poultry Scieme 66: 408–417Google Scholar