title: Genetic selection to increase bone strength affects prevalence of keel bone damage and egg parameters in commercially housed laying hens.
abstract: The prevalence of keel bone damage as well as external egg parameters of 2 pure lines divergently selected for high (H) and low (L) bone strength were investigated in 2 aviary systems under commercial conditions. A standard LSL hybrid was used as a reference group. Birds were kept mixed per genetic line (77 hens of the H and L line and 201 or 206 hens of the LSL line, respectively, per pen) in 8 pens of 2 aviary systems differing in design. Keel bone status and body mass of 20 focal hens per line and pen were assessed at 17, 18, 23, 30, 36, 43, 52, and 63 wk of age. External egg parameters (i.e., egg mass, eggshell breaking strength, thickness, and mass) were measured using 10 eggs per line at both 38 and 57 wk of age. Body parameters (i.e. tarsus and third primary wing feather length to calculate index of wing loading) were recorded at 38 wk of age and mortality per genetic line throughout the laying cycle. Bone mineral density (BMD) of 15 keel bones per genetic line was measured after slaughter to confirm assignment of the experimental lines. We found a greater BMD in the H compared with the L and LSL lines. Fewer keel bone fractures and deviations, a poorer external egg quality, as well as a lower index of wing loading were found in the H compared with the L line. Mortality was lower and production parameters (e.g., laying performance) were higher in the LSL line compared with the 2 experimental lines. Aviary design affected prevalence of keel bone damage, body mass, and mortality. We conclude that selection of specific bone traits associated with bone strength as well as the related differences in body morphology (i.e., lower index of wing loading) have potential to reduce keel bone damage in commercial settings. Also, the housing environment (i.e., aviary design) may have additive effects.
authors.affiliation: Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland ariane.stratmann@vetsuisse.unibe.ch.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stratmann
authors.affiliation: Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Burgerweg 22, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: E K F
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.affiliation: Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gebhardt-Henrich
authors.affiliation: Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, Canada N1G2W1.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harlander-Matauschek
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Langgässstrasse 120, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Würbel
authors.affiliation: Center for Proper Housing: Poultry and Rabbits (ZTHZ), Division of Animal Welfare, VPH Institute, University of Bern, Burgerweg 22, CH-3052 Zollikofen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Toscano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics*; D001947:Breeding; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D004531:Eggs / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D010058:Oviposition; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013249:Sternum / Q000473:pathology
keywords: aviary system; bone strength; egg parameter; keel bone damage; laying hen