A force plate study of avian gait.
OBJECTIVE
To test the force plate as a gait analysis system for broilers and to determine how the ground reaction force (GRF) patterns change in these birds with growth and administration of analgesia.


METHODS
Thirty-three male Ross 308 chicks were raised on either an ad libitum or restricted-feeding regime, and subsequently treated with carprofen or a placebo. Vertical, craniocaudal and mediolateral GRFs were measured as the birds walked across a standard force plate.


RESULTS
The data were easy to collect, and peak vertical forces of an equivalent percentage of bodyweight as seen in human walking were identified. Mediolateral forces were 2-3 times greater than those demonstrated in other species. GRF patterns showed significant changes during growth, but analgesia did not have a significant effect on the speed of walking, or GRF patterns.


CONCLUSIONS
The force plate is a suitable research tool for recording GRFs from avian bipeds. The large mediolateral forces identify a particularly inefficient aspect of avian gait; however, the role of pain remains to be determined.
Corr
Sandra A
SA
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK. scorr@rvc.ac.uk
McCorquodale
Caroline
C
McDonald
John
J
Gentle
Mike
M
McGovern
Rod
R
D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*