title: [Examination of rearing standards and health status in turkeys in Germany].
abstract: Within the framework of a cooperative research project, sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection in Germany (BMELV), turkey health as well as numerous aspects of animal welfare in various intensive commercial farms with varying rearing forms were examined. For this purpose extensive documentation of flock management and health status information was conducted over the past two years at the farms. Additional information was ascertained from the carcasses at the slaughterhouse. The first results of this study, which look at flock management, will be presented here. Upon reviewing the questionnaires, it is clear that on one hand almost all farmers orientate there stocking rate upon the allowed limits, on the other hand, however, when considering national general requirements, which are very important parameters thatargely influence animal health (i. e. litter quality and care of sick/injured animals) farmer compliance lacks. Especially the litter quality, which, among other parameters, plays a very important role in food pad health, proved to be unsatisfactory. Unfortunately, no instruments are available that measure the litter quality, yet. The status of footpad health was a major problem in all the rearing systems. However, the prevalence of epithelial necrosis and deep skin lesions varied immensely among different flocks of the same age.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Vögel und Reptilien, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig. krautwald@vmf.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Maria-Elisabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Krautwald-Junghanns
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ellerich
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Böhme
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: Angelique
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DellaVolpe
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitterer-Istyagin
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ludewig
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fehlhaber
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aldehoff
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fulhorst
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dressel
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Noack
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bartels
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000592:standards*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings / Q000592:standards; D005858:Germany; D006304:Health Status; D008297:Male; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014422:Turkeys; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary