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The Effect of Morphology on the Musculoskeletal System of the Modern Broiler

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

Corr S A ,
Gentle M J ,
McCorquodale C C  and
Bennett D
Corr S A*
Affiliation:
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7AT, UK
Gentle M J
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK
McCorquodale C C
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK
Bennett D
Affiliation:
Division of Small Animal Clinical Studies, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

This study compares various morphometric features of two strains of broilers, selected and ‘relaxed’ (ie random-bred), raised under two feeding regimes, ad-libitum-fed and restricted-fed. We consider the possible consequences of the different body shapes on the musculoskeletal system. The ad-libitum-fed selected birds reached heavier bodyweights at younger ages, had wider girths, and developed large amounts of breast muscle which probably displaced their centre of gravity cranially. At cull weight, they had shorter legs than birds in the other groups and greater thigh-muscle masses; therefore, greater forces would have to be exerted by shorter lever arms in order to move the body. The tarsometatarsi were broader, providing increased resistance to greater loads, but the bones had a lower calcium and phosphorus content, which would theoretically make them weaker. Many of these morphological changes are likely to have detrimental effects on the musculoskeletal system and therefore compromise the walking ability and welfare of the birds.

Keywords

animal welfaregaitlamenessmorphologymusculoskeletalpoultry
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , May 2003 , pp. 145 - 157
Copyright
© 2003 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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