Influence of zinc bacitracin, light regimen and dustbathing on the health and welfare of broiler chickens.
1. The influence of zinc bacitracin, an antibiotic growth promoter, and the combined influence of two environmental factors (8 h of darkness and access to sand) on health and welfare variables were studied in 96 broiler chickens (kept as pairs). 2. Chickens fed with zinc bacitracin (ZB) had a higher frequency of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) and a higher frequency of dustbathing than chickens fed without zinc bacitracin. 3. When 42 d old, chickens exposed to 8 h of darkness and access to sand were heavier than chickens reared under continuous light and with no access to sand. 4. Fluctuating asymmetry was higher in the 'light/no sand' groups than in the 'night/sand + ZB' group. 5. There was a negative correlation between tonic immobility and weight and a positive correlation between weight and TD.
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Division of Laboratory Science and Welfare, Department of Pharmacology and Pathobiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. chs@kvl.dk
Vestergaard
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KS
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001414:Bacitracin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004391:Dust; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D010009:Osteochondrodysplasias / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004391:Dust; D001414:Bacitracin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide