Associations between animal-based measures at 11 wk and slaughter data at 20 wk in turkey toms (Meleagris gallopavo).

To monitor animal welfare on a commercial scale, systematic collection and evaluation of slaughterhouse data is the most feasible method. However, we need to know whether slaughterhouse data retrospectively and reliably reflect information about the birds' welfare on-farm. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate associations between animal-based welfare measures in flocks of turkey toms at 11 wk of age recorded with the transect walk and slaughter data at 20 wk of age. A total of 20 commercial flocks of turkey toms were visited, where an observer walked the transects in a random order and recorded the total number of birds per transect that were immobile, lame, with visible head, tail, or wing wounds, small, featherless, dirty, sick, terminal, or dead. Slaughterhouse data were provided for each flock. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between on-farm and slaughterhouse measures. Increased prevalence of immobile toms at week 11 resulted in more birds rejected at slaughter owing to leg issues (P = 0.02) and airsacculitis (P < 0.001). More lame birds on-farm were associated with an overall higher rejection rate at slaughter (P < 0.001). Flocks with more featherless birds had significantly more birds being rejected at slaughter owing to skin issues (P = 0.02). More dirty birds at week 11 resulted in more birds being rejected owing to airsacculitis at slaughter (P < 0.001). A higher mortality on-farm was associated with more birds rejected for being too small (P = 0.04). In conclusion, significant associations between animal-based measures of turkey toms as assessed by the transect walk method on-farm at 11 wk and slaughter data at 20 wk were identified.

[Examination of the prevalence of skin injuries in debeaked fattened turkeys]. / Untersuchungen zur Prävalenz von Hautverletzungen bei schnabelkupierten Mastputen.

Within the framework of a cooperative research project, turkey health as well as numerous aspects of animal welfare were examined in various intensive commercial farms with varying rearing forms. The present study demonstrates the prevalence of skin injuries concerning living animals as well as carcasses of slaughtered turkeys of both sexes. Although all turkeys were debeaked, prevalences of skin injuries at a value of 12.8% with male turkeys and 13.8% with female turkeys could be found at the age of 16 weeks. Within the scope of medically inspections skin injuries were mainly established in the head region, especially the snood as well as in the region of the back. By means of their clinical picture pecking wounds and scratch injuries could be distinguished. Skin lesion produced primary as a result of scratching the skin surface, could be enlarged by the animal itself or by conspecifics by beak pecking, especially after bleeding, in spite of debeaked upper beak. Injuries in the head region, especially of the snood, could be explained mainly as a result of pecking by conspecifics by reason of their clinical picture and were found mainly in male turkeys. Skin injuries in the region of the back, especially at the coxal tuberosity, were identified primarily as scratch marks. They were found mainly in female turkeys. A statistically significant correlation of the injury prevalence to particular husbandry parameters discussed in the literature as "predisposing" or "limiting" factors (e.g., population density, light regime or offer of employment material) could not be established in this study. At the meat inspection fresh scratching injuries at the chest and the hind legs were diagnosed most often. Especially fresh injuries of the carcass point to a misguided behaviour of the staff concerning animal handling during loading and transport which is not conform to animal welfare.

Avulsion of the common retinaculum in meat turkeys.

An increase in leg condemnations was experienced in several commercial meat flocks of male and female turkeys. Affected legs had hematomas around and above the tibiotarsus-tarsometatarsus (hock) joint. Avulsion of the common retinaculum from the external condyle was observed when the skin and muscular fascia were removed. A farm investigation was performed and similar changes were observed in turkeys between 10 and 19 wk of age. Interestingly, birds with avulsion of this fibrinous bridge were not lame. Body weights were normal, no infectious agent was detected, and mineral contents of bones and tendons were within normal limits. Avulsion of the retinaculum might not have been diagnosed in the past because the birds are not lame and the lesion is tightly covered by the skin and muscular fascia.

Influence of environmental enrichment on injurious pecking and perching behaviour in young turkeys.

1. In order to reduce injurious pecking, the influence of environmental enrichment on pecking and perching behaviour was studied in young male and female turkeys. 2. Two different types of enrichment and a control treatment (TO) were tested: T1, metal objects and straw; T2, similar to T1 + wood perches. Birds were housed in 36 m2 pens at a light intensity of 5 lux with 4 replicates per treatment in a 2x3 factorial design. 3. Pecking at objects and perching behaviour were observed weekly. Behaviour was video recorded at weeks 5 and 10. Birds were examined daily for the occurrence of injuries. At the end of the rearing period, an ACTH challenge was performed and H/L ratio was measured. 4. Objects were regularly pecked at. Perching was more common in females, peaked at week 5 (10% to 13% of birds perched) and declined to 0% by week 10. Aggressive pecking was more frequently observed in males in T0 than in T1 or T2 at week 10. Wing (in males and females), tail and head (in males) injuries were more common in T0 than in T1 or T2. T1 and T2 were similar Response to ACTH challenge and H/L ratio were not consistently influenced by treatments. 5. It is concluded that metal objects and straw reduced injurious pecking in young female and male turkeys by redirecting, pecking activity.

Femoral fractures in a young male Turkey breeder flock.

Twenty-two 32-to-35-wk-old male turkeys from a commercial breeding flock were presented to the California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, Fresno Branch, with a clinical complaint of lameness and increased mortality. Necropsy findings included a unilateral, closed oblique fracture involving the femur in 12 birds. Ten complete femoral fractures had periosteal new bone adjacent to and bridging the fracture. Periosteal callus formation, in this case, suggested that preexisting lesions preceded complete fracture of the femur. Factors such as selection for heavy body weight, lack of exercise, and handling might have contributed to the development and promotion of complete fractures.

The effect of beak trimming on two strains of commercial tom turkeys. 1. Performance traits.

Two commercial strains (Strains A and B) of tom turkeys were either beak trimmed or left with intact beaks. These strains responded similarly to beak trimming for performance traits, with the exception of a higher incidence of beak-inflicted injuries among Strain B toms with intact beaks. Turkeys with trimmed beaks had higher body weights at 8, 12, and 16 wk. Feed efficiency was better in beak-trimmed birds from 4 to 8 wk, 12 to 16 wk, and 0 to 18 wk. Beak treatment did not effect mortality. Leg abnormalities caused the majority of culling or resulted in death or culling from beak-inflicted injuries. Beak trimming seems to be a beneficial practice in tom turkeys because feed efficiency of beak-trimmed toms was improved and injuries were reduced in a strain that tended to exhibit a high degree of beak-inflicted injuries. The results suggest that the need for beak trimming tom turkeys may be reduced when feed efficiency of toms with intact beaks is improved.

The effects of stray voltage on turkey poults.

Three successive flocks of turkey poults experienced cumulative mortality of 10% to 26% through the fifth week of brooding. Stray electrical voltage was suspected after no definitive laboratory diagnosis could be made and no evidence of management deficiency was found. Alternating current voltages of 0.2 to 2.5 volts were detected between waterers and the floor and between the water line and gas line. When the water line was equipment-grounded to the electrical service entrance, the subsequent flock had no mortality problem. A series of experiments was conducted to determine the sensitivity of turkey poults to alternating current. Based on these experiments, the voltage levels measured at the farm probably did not cause the mortality experienced in the three flocks. The reason for the farm problem could have been 1) the poults experienced higher voltage than was present when measurements were taken, 2) the voltage may have been intermittent, or 3) there was a difference between the farm environment and the cage battery environment in the experiments.