Avian and Poultry Biology Reviews 17 (3), 2006

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Understanding long bone development in broilers and turkeys

E.O. Oviedo-RondoŽn, P.R. Ferket and G.B. Havestein

Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC., 27695-7608, USA

 

ABSTRACT

Leg abnormalities inmeat poultry are oftenmultifactorialproblems. Fast-growing broilers and turkeys havemodifications in their

hormonal balance (thyroid, GH and IGF), on systemic and tissue-specific functions, and in the number of cellular vitamin D

receptors in their bone tissues that could play important roles in their predisposition to different types of bone developmental

disorders. Breeder nutrition, incubation conditions, management (brooding) practices, and physiological responses to environmental

stress and immunological challenges may affect the field incidence of these developmental problems. Modern chicks

and poults with altered bone regulatory mechanisms may not respond properly to dietary manipulations directed to solve leg

problems. Thus, genetic selection may be the least expensive and main strategy to solve such issues in the long term. Several

characteristics must be evaluated if one is to understand specific skeletal problems that are routinely observed in the field, and

for the development of a plan to solve them. Although bonemineralisation and density are goodmarkers of bone development,

it is very important to evaluate the biochemical composition of bone collagen and the biomechanical properties of leg bones

by testing their tensile strength, torsion and fatigue.

 

Keywords: broilers, turkeys, leg problems, bone development, nutrition

 

 

Nutritional factors that affect leg problems in broilers and turkeys

E.O. Oviedo-RondoŽn, P.R. Ferket and G.B. Havenstein

Department of Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC., 27695-7608, USA

 

ABSTRACT

Skeletaldisorders inmeat poultry are a very complex problemthat canbe influencedbymany different factors includingnutrition.

Several nutritional modifications and feed management factors that are presented in this review, if understood and applied by

field nutritionists and feedmillmanagers, could help solve some of the field cases of leg problems. Alongwith good feed quality

and the proper dietary nutrient levels that are typically accepted by the poultry industry, attention should be made to make certain

that zinc, selenium, copper, pyridoxine, biotin, and vitaminDare suppliedby highly bioavailable sources.Moreover, appropriate

levels of Ca, P, Na, and Cl and a good balance between O3 :O6 fatty acids, according to the stage of development, are also

important. One should also assess the effects of high methionine-low pyridoxine diets on bone development and resistance to

fractures in broilers and turkeys under commercial conditions. Additionally, strategies to avoid enteritis, fat and oil rancidity,

mycotoxins, and cadmium contamination should be in place at feedmills and farms in order to reduce such skeletal disorders in

poultry.

 

Keywords: broilers, turkeys, leg problems, bone development, nutrition