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The Effect of Morphology on Walking Ability in the Modern Broiler: A Gait Analysis Study

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: scorr@rvc.ac.uk
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Abstract

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This study tests the hypothesis that growth rate and bodyweight affect walking ability in broilers by comparing objective measurements of the spatial and temporal gait parameters of several groups of birds. Two strains of birds were used (relaxed and selected), raised on two feeding regimes (ad-libitum and restricted), and culled at the same final bodyweight (commercial cull weight of 2.4 kg). The ad-libitum-fed selected birds walked more slowly, with lower cadences, and took shorter steps. The steps were wider, and the toes were pointed outwards, resulting in a wider walking base. They kept their feet in contact with the ground for longer periods, having longer percentage stance times, shorter percentage swing times and increased double-contact times compared to the relaxed birds. These changes serve to increase stability during walking and are a likely consequence of the morphological changes in the selected broiler — in particular, the rapid growth of breast muscle moving the centre of gravity forward, and the relatively short legs compared to their bodyweight (see Corr et al, pp 145-157, this issue). This altered gait would be very inefficient and would rapidly tire the birds, and could help to explain the low level of activity seen in the modern broiler.

Keywords

animal welfaregaitlamenessmorphologymusculoskeletalpoultry
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , May 2003 , pp. 159 - 171
Copyright
© 2003 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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