Femur and tibia development in meat-type chickens with different growth potential for 56 days of rearing period. (9th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Damaziak, Krzysztof; Charuta, Anna; Niemiec, Jan; Tatara, Marcin R; Krupski, Witold; Gozdowski, Dariusz; Kruzińska, Brygida
• Is Part Of: Poultry science. Volume 98:Number 12(2019:Dec.)
• Page Start: 7063
• Page End: 7075
• Publication Date: 2019-08-09
• Subjects: chicken -- growth -- bone development -- femur -- tibia; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 636.5005
• DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5791

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We studied the changes in morphological, geometric, densitometric, and mechanical parameters of the femur and tibia during 56 D of rearing chickens with different growth rates. Ten femur and tibia were collected from fast-growing chickens (FG ) and 2 types of medium-growing chickens (MGH and MGGP ) immediately after hatching (0 D) and on 7, 14, 21, 35, 42, 49, and 56 D of life. The bone parameters of chickens across all genetic groups were found to be similar on 0 D, with exceptions of lower percentage contribution of bone weight (BW ) in FG chickens ( P < 0.05), lower total bone volume in MGGP chickens ( P < 0.05), and lower maximum elastic strength in MGH chickens ( P < 0.05). The bones developed in FG chickens were longer and wider; however, an increase in bone mineral density (BMD ) between 42 and 49 D was not observed. The BMD value in FG chickens on 56 D was comparable to that in MGH chickens ( P = 0.089) and significantly lower than that in MGGP chickens ( P = 0.021). Mean relative wall thickness, despite longer and thicker bones in FG chickens, was comparable and often lower than that of MGH and MGGP chickens. In conclusion, the results showed that medium-growing chickens could be reared for up to 56 D without the risk of any growth impairment due to problems associated with deterioration of pelvic limb bone quality.