In pursuit of a better broiler: tibial morphology, breaking strength, and ash content in conventional and slower-growing strains of broiler chickens

Midian N. Santos; Tina M. Widowski; Elijah G. Kiarie; Michele T. Guerin; A. Michelle Edwards; Stephanie Torrey

Poultry Science (Apr 2022)

In pursuit of a better broiler: tibial morphology, breaking strength, and ash content in conventional and slower-growing strains of broiler chickens

Midian N. Santos,
Tina M. Widowski,
Elijah G. Kiarie,
Michele T. Guerin,
A. Michelle Edwards,
Stephanie Torrey

Affiliations

Midian N. Santos: Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Tina M. Widowski: Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Elijah G. Kiarie: Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Michele T. Guerin: Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
A. Michelle Edwards: Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Stephanie Torrey: Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Corresponding author:

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 101, no. 4
p. 101755

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the differences in bone traits in 14 strains of broiler chickens differing in growth rate. The strains encompassed 2 conventional (CONV; ADG0-48 >60 g/d) and 12 slower-growing (SG) strains classified as FAST (ADG0-62 = 53–55 g/d), MOD (ADG0-62 = 50–51 g/d), and SLOW (ADG0-62 0.69). At TW2, category (P > 0.50) had no effect on tibial diameter, yet CONV birds had the shortest tibiae (P 0.220). At 48 d of age, CONV birds had the greatest absolute TBS (P < 0.003), yet lower TBS:BW ratio than SLOW birds (P < 0.001). Tibiae from CONV birds were longer than MOD and SLOW birds, and thicker in diameter than the other categories, yet CONV birds had the lowest dimensions relative to BW (P < 0.001) at 48 d, indicating a negative association between accelerated growth and tibial dimensions. These results indicate that differences in functional abilities among categories may be due to differences in morphometric traits rather than differences in bone strength and mineralization.

Published in Poultry Science

ISSN: 0032-5791 (Print); 1525-3171 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/poultry-science

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