Published in AgroLife Scientific Journal, Volume 11, Number 1
Written by Lazarin LAZAROV, Michael TOSCANO
The aim of this article is to present the possibility of reducing sternum fractures (KBF) in laying hens by using calcium particulate 2 hours before turning off the lights (CaT), alone or in combination with 25-hydroxyholecalciferol (Hyd). For the experiment, a total of 240 birds were used that were exposed to one of four treatment combinations in a 2X2 factorial design (Factor 1: CaT+ or Control (CaT-); Factor 2: Hyd vs. Control (Hyd-). All birds were housed in a commercial aviary until 33 weeks of age when they were moved to a test barn and randomly assigned to one of the eight pens (30 hens/pen). After one week of habituation to the novel housing, all birds began to receive one of the four treatment combinations (n = 2 replicate pens/treatment combinations). The ability of the treatment combinations to reduce fracture susceptibility was tested using an ex vivo impact testing protocol. After 39 weeks of age the keels were removed and scored for damage using an established three-point severity scale. The likelihood of an experimental fracture occurring in the CaT-/Hyd- was 3.6 times more likely compared to the CaT+ /Hyd+ treatment (1.1 to 5.8).
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