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. 2024 Jul 15;19(7):e0307114.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307114. eCollection 2024.

Influence of perch provision during rearing on activity and musculoskeletal health of pullets

Affiliations

Influence of perch provision during rearing on activity and musculoskeletal health of pullets

Mallory G Anderson et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Prior research suggests exercise during pullet rearing can mitigate lay-phase bone fractures by strengthening muscles, enhancing balance, and increasing bone mass. This study aimed to confirm that Hy-Line brown pullets with multi-tier perches show increased activity and improved musculoskeletal health. Pullets (n = 810) were randomly allocated to housing systems, either with multi-tier perches (P; n = 15 pens) or without (NP; n = 15 pens), spanning from 0-17 weeks of age. At 5, 11, and 17 weeks, individual birds were meticulously monitored for activity using accelerometers over three consecutive days (n = 90 randomly selected birds/week). At 11 and 17 weeks, 60 birds underwent euthanasia and computed tomography (CT) scans to ascertain tibiotarsal bone mineral density and cross-sectional area measurements. Post-CT scanning, birds were dissected for muscle size, tibiotarsal breaking strength, and tibiotarsal ash percentage measurements. Additionally, serum concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide were assessed as markers of bone formation (n = 90 birds/week). Pullet group P exhibited heightened vertical activity (P<0.05), with no discernible differences in overall activity (P>0.05) during weeks 5, 11, and 17 compared to group NP. Tibiotarsal bones of P pullets demonstrated superior total and cortical bone mineral density at week 11, alongside increased cortical bone cross-sectional areas and heightened total and cortical bone mineral densities at week 17 (P<0.05) compared to NP pullets. At week 11, P pullets displayed larger leg muscles, including triceps, pectoralis major and minor, and leg muscles at week 17 (P<0.05) compared to NP pullets. Notably, at both weeks, P pullets' tibiae exhibited greater breaking strengths, higher ash percentages, and elevated concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide compared to NP pullets (P<0.05). The study findings underscore the benefits of providing multi-tier perches for pullets, serving as a valuable tool for enhancing bird activity and musculoskeletal health preceding the lay phase.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Instron configuration with rounded supports and breaking blade machined according to ANSI standards.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Relative muscle weight (% of total body weight) of biceps brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and leg muscle group of 11-week-old pullets (n = 60 birds) housed with perches (P) or no perches (NP).
Results are presented as mean relative weight (%) ± SEM. *Across bars indicates significant statistical differences at p < 0.05.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Relative muscle weight (% of total body weight) of bicep brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and leg muscle group of 17-week-old pullets (n = 60 birds) housed with perches (P) or no perches (NP).
Results are presented as mean relative weight (%) ± SEM. *Across bars indicates significant statistical differences at p < 0.05.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Concentrations of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) for pullets housed in perch (P) and no perch (NP) housing environments during weeks 11 and 17 (n = 90 birds/week).
Results are presented as mean ± SEM. *Across bars indicates significant statistical differences at p < 0.05.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Concentrations of pro-collagen type 1 n-terminal propeptide (P1NP) for pullets housed in perch (P) and no perch (NP) housing environments during weeks 11 and 17 (n = 90 birds/week).
Results are presented as mean ± SEM. *Across bars indicates significant statistical differences at p < 0.05.

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