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Effect of Wood Shaving Litter Density on the Growth, Leg Disorders and Manurial Value in Broiler

M A Hossain*
Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chittagong-4225, Bangladesh

I Zulkifili
Institute of Tropical Agriculture & Food Security, UPM, Serdang, Malaysia

S Islam
Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh

E A Awad
Institute of Tropical Agriculture & Food Security, UPM, Serdang, Malaysia

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted with an aim to investigate the effect of litter density on growth, leg health and litter quality of broiler chickens from d1-42 days. Day-old male broiler chicks (n=400; Cobb 500) were distributed randomly into four litter densities [T1, T2, T3 and T4] treatments, each treatment had 5 replicates with 20 birds per replicate cage in a completely randomized design. Wood shaving was used as litter materials to a thickness of 5 cm, 8 cm, 11 cm and 14 cm on the floor of the pen. Birds were reared on the litter floor open-sided housing condition with ad libitum feed and water throughout the trail period. Data on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were measured weekly. Litter sample was collected on day 42 to assess the nitrogen content (N2 %), dry matter (DM%) and moisture level (%). Footpad dermatitis (FPD) and hock burn (HB) incidences were measured on day 42 to assess the leg quality of birds. Results demonstrated that litter thickness had no significant (P>0.05) effect on FI, BW, FCR and mortality of broilers from d1-42 days. The N2, DM or moisture levels (%) of litter were also unaffected (P>0.05) between treatment. Leg disorders such as HB and FPD were influenced (P<0.01) by treatment. The incidences of HB and FPD were higher (P<0.01) in T1 and T2 than other treatments. It can be inferred from our current study that, leg health may be deteriorated by using low density wood shaving without affecting growth and litter quality of broiler chickens.

Keywords: Growth, Footpad dermatitis, Hock burn, Litter thickness and composition, Wood shaving, Chicken

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Broiler

Objectives:

The present study is undertaken to find out the suitable density of wood shaving as litter material for profitable broiler production.

Methodology:

Bird management and experimental design A total of 400 (Cobb500) day-old male broiler chicks was procured from the local hatchery. The chicks were weighed on receipt and then assigned randomly in groups of 20 to 20 floor pens with wood-shavings as litter material. Birds were reared in a floored pen, open housing condition from d1 to 42 days on the different densities of wood shavings (5 cm, 8 cm, 11 cm and 14 cm). Each treatment had five replicate pens, 20 birds per replicate in a CRD design. Chicks were brooded with a with a temperature of 33^oC for the first two days of rearing period. The temperature was then gradually reduced by 1 or 2 ^oC every 1 or 2 days until the chicks were 19 days old at which point the temperature was maintained at 24o C for the rest of the trial. Continuous lighting program was maintained entire the trial period. Feed was provided ad libitum in mash form and birds had a free access to water all the time until the last day of rearing birds. In the first 3 weeks, the birds were given starter diets followed by the finisher diets for the last 3 weeks. All the diets were isocaloric and iso-nitrogenous. Data collection Prior to feeding, chicks were weighed at the first day of starting trial. Live weight, feed consumption and feed conversions ratios were calculated weekly. Mortality was recorded when it occurred. Litter samples from each replicate cage were collected on day 42 to measure out nitrogen (N2), dry matter (DM) and moisture content. Hock burn and footpad dermatitis incidences of birds were also assessed on day 42 to assess the leg quality of broiler chickens. Measuring of Hock burn (HB) and Foot pad dermatitis (FPD) “Hock burn” (HB), is closely related to FPD, in which the skin of the hock becomes dark brown. In severe cases, scabs are observed. A total of 10 birds were randomly selected from each replicate cage, and observed the HB of each birds visually for any incidence of dermatitis or disorder, wound, lesions, and scored against a number of criteria. The hocks were given 1 (not affected), 2 (colour changes or minor lesions), or 3 points (severe lesions). Left and right hocks were scored separately. Method of scoring the incidence of FPD of broilers FPD is a type of contact dermatitis affecting the plantar region of the feet in poultry and other birds. At an early stage, discoloration of the skin is seen. Hyperkeratosis and necrosis of the epidermis can develop, and in severe cases, these changes are followed by ulcerations with inflammatory reactions of the subcutaneous tissue (Ekstrand et al., 1997). The severity and incidence of FPD of broilers are scored by visual ranking system on day 42. The FPD scoring test followed the 3-point scoring system developed by Nagaraj et al. (2007). To conduct the test, 10 birds were randomly selected from each replicate cage, and observed the foot-pad of each birds visually for any incidence of dermatitis or disorder, wound, lesions and scored against a number of criteria accordingly. Statistical analyses Statistical analyses were performed using Minitab software (Minitab Version 16, 2000). The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with litter density as independent factor. The significance of difference between means was determined by Fisher’s least significant difference at P≤0.05.

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2018. 47 (1):21-27

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

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Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

An overview of the results obtained in this current study revealed that, the growth performance of broilers and manurial value of litter materials were not affected by the litter density of wood shavings, but the incidences of leg disorders (HB and FPD) were found to reduce by using high density wood shaving in raising broiler chickens.

Knowledge Management: Journal