![<?echo $_SERVER['SERVER_NAME'];?>](/template/twentyseventeen/skin/images/header.jpg)
The leg problem of broilers is not just an animal welfare issue. It is estimated that the broiler industry will lose at least £2 million a year due to leg disease. According to the explanation given by independent dietitian Tony Marangos, one solution is the diet fed.
Although most of the most common leg disease in broilers is genetically related, adjusting the mineral level of the diet and slowing the early growth rate of the broiler can significantly reduce the severity of the disease.
Ankle cartilage dysplasia and rickets are the most common foot diseases in broilers and other adult commercial chickens.
The characteristic lesion of dysplasia is the abnormal cartilage block of the proximal humeral head (ankle). It is common in broilers 21-35 days old. The sick chicken is unwilling to move, even if walking, it is gait or stiffness.
Rickets are a typical symptom of weak legs, which is caused by an abnormal drop in bone mineralization. Symptoms include soft and elastic bones, soft and pliable, flat chest, and beaded joints between the ribs and vertebrae.
When the calcium and/or phosphorus in the diet is not balanced or insufficient, the above two diseases are more likely to occur.
Bone Health
The bones of young and adult animals are metabolically active, constantly undergoing renewal and bone remodeling.
The leg bone is one of the fastest growing bones in the bone, and because its main function is to support weight, it is not surprising that the leg disease is so frequent.
A common misconception is that bones grow in the early stages of growth and are not affected by any factors after a few weeks of birth. However, skeletal problems often occur in the late growth stage. When the broiler's bones are affected by a lot of stress, it will have a negative effect on the density and even the shape of the bone.
In order to achieve good bone strength, the calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D in the diet must be in equilibrium. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in bone is about 2:1, so this ratio of calcium to phosphorus is often used in the preparation of diets.
When the diet provides sufficient calcium and phosphorus, the absolute ratio between them is less important. When one of the calcium and phosphorus is insufficient or excessive, the body's hormone or metabolic activity will change to maintain normal calcium and phosphorus levels in the body.
According to the author's experience, feedstocks, growth materials, and fattening materials that are balanced with calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D will help prevent leg disease. Especially when feeding whole wheat diets (sometimes more than 20% wheat in fattening diets), it is even more important to add these nutrients to achieve a nutrient balance.
Growth rate
In addition to mineral balance, adjusting the diet to control the early growth rate of broilers can also reduce leg disease. Recent studies have shown that weight itself is not a factor in leg disease. The broiler weight regulation test showed that the severity of leg disease was not related to body weight, and the growth rate was the main cause of foot disease.
When people analyzed the early growth potential of modern broilers, they found this conclusion to be very reasonable. Meat chickens can only reach more than 300% of their birth weight in 7 days, while 21-day-old weights increase by nearly 100% compared to 14-day-old weight.
If early growth rates can be adjusted without affecting the final target weight of broilers, feed efficiency should be improved by reducing maintenance requirements, a concept commonly referred to as "compensatory growth."
Tests have shown that the growth rate of broilers can be slowed down by up to 21 days, and the final body weight is minimally affected. Feed conversion can be improved by reducing maintenance needs, and the incidence of foot disease, elimination rate, Further benefits in the significant reduction in the dropout rate and mortality rate are compensated.
It is possible to control the early growth rate of broilers by limiting feeding and controlling the nutrient concentration of the diet. If combined with the light scheme that limits the feeding time of the broiler and promotes its rest, better results can be obtained.
After 22 days of age, feeding the broiler a diet containing a higher nutrient concentration allows the broiler to exert its compensatory growth potential and then reach its final target weight. But you must remember to make sure the diet contains the right concentration of minerals.
Studies have shown that assuming a target weight of 2.6 kg for broilers, this feeding program can reduce feed costs per kilogram of weight gain by up to 2 pence.
Temporary Fence,Construction Site Fence Panels,Outdoor Fence Temporary Fence,Outdoor Temporary Fence
Anping Xinlong Wire Mesh Manufacture Co.,Ltd. , https://www.hbzhaoxuan.com