title: Gait analysis in laying hens and broilers with and without leg disorders.
abstract: Selection of broiler strains for high body weight has changed the anatomical characteristics and in connection to that, the pattern of locomotion. In addition, rapid growing broilers show a high incidence of leg disorders which compromise the walking ability of the birds. Differences in the patterns of locomotion between laying hens and broilers and between broilers with and without leg disorders can be demonstrated and quantified by gait analysis. The gait pattern was recorded by videotracking. Three points of the body - the cloacal region and both feet joints - were marked by small patches of reflecting foils. The vertical and horizontal movements of the marked points were recorded by a camera in posterior position, while the bird was walking on a treadmill The camera was connected with a PC-operated videotracking system. The vertical and horizontal movements of the 3 marked points were recorded simultaneously and plotted against the time axis. Kinetograms show clearly the differences in the walking pattern between broilers and layers. Layers place the legs directly under the centre of gravity and, therefore, the body moves in a straight line. Broilers, in contrast, move the centre of gravity step by step laterally towards the position of the supporting leg. This pattern may be caused by the anatomical characteristics of broilers. Limping in broilers with leg problems can be measured by differences in the lateral and vertical movements of the right and left leg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Poultry Science, University Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bessei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006112:Gravitation; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D013640:Tarsal Joints / Q000502:physiology; D014741:Video Recording / Q000379:methods; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology