Changes in protein and mineral metabolism in broiler chickens with perosis

Abstract

Perosis is one of the most common leg pathologies in broiler chickens, during the period of intense weight gain – at the age of 14–35 days. Due to manganese deficiency, the number of sick birds can reach up to 5% of the flock. These studies were carried out in order to establish changes in some indicators of protein, macro- and micromineral metabolism in the blood serum of clinically healthy broiler chickens and birds with perosis at 14, 21 and 28 days of age. A batch of 2,000 Cobb-500 crossbred broiler chickens was selected. Two groups of chickens were directly involved in the research, in which blood was taken at the age of 14, 21 and 28 days: healthy birds and those with perosis signs. Clinical studies showed that 8.0% of chickens on 28th day suffered from perosis. Trace mineral biochemical parameters of serum and blood of broiler chickens with perosis on the 28th day of life significantly differed from those of healthy birds (manganese and zinc). It was found that on the 28th day of life the weight of chickens with perosis was reduced by 42.7%, causing a loss of weight 88 kg per batch of 2000 birds, with a consumption of feed 140 kg. The obtained data will allow the development of early perosis prevention schemes in broiler chickens, which will help manage production losses and increase its profitability. On farms, to prevent the occurrence of perosis, it is necessary to take into account the technological factors of the production of compound feed. Also, an increase in the level of total protein and albumin in serum in the blood may indicate inflammatory processes and dehydration of the body. Therefore, it is better to site a sick bird separately for rearing or hand over to a sanitary culling.

Keywords

• broiler chickens; perosis; protein metabolism; mineral metabolism; zinc; manganese.