Bone Strength of Broilers Reared in Floor Pens and in Cages Having Different Bottoms

Abstract

Trials were conducted to determine if a bone fragility problem existed in broilers reared in cages with different bottoms when compared to broilers reared in a floor pen with built-up pine shavings litter. The results showed that wing and leg breakage after processing was higher for broilers reared in cages with the highest proportion of breakage in wings. Breaking strength of the humeri from broilers reared on the litter floor was twice that of the humeri from broilers on the cage bottom treatments. Breaking strength differences of the tibiae were not as great, but tibia bone strengths for the cage treatments were significantly less than for those from the litter floor treatment except for the mylar mat treatment in the second trial. Investigation of a greater number of tibiae from the mylar mat treatment would be required before significant differences from the other cage treatments could be determined. Further studies are needed with regard to strengthening bones of broilers reared in cages to prevent excess breakage in processing.