Influence of zinc bacitracin, light regimen and dustbathing on the health and welfare of broiler chickens. |
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| Authors: | C Stub K S Vestergaard |
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| Institution: | Division of Laboratory Science and Welfare, Department of Pharmacology and Pathobiology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. chs@kvl.dk |
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| Abstract: | 1. The influence of zinc bacitracin, an antibiotic growth promoter, and the combined influence of two environmental factors (8 h of darkness and access to sand) on health and welfare variables were studied in 96 broiler chickens (kept as pairs). 2. Chickens fed with zinc bacitracin (ZB) had a higher frequency of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) and a higher frequency of dustbathing than chickens fed without zinc bacitracin. 3. When 42 d old, chickens exposed to 8 h of darkness and access to sand were heavier than chickens reared under continuous light and with no access to sand. 4. Fluctuating asymmetry was higher in the 'light/no sand' groups than in the 'night/sand + ZB' group. 5. There was a negative correlation between tonic immobility and weight and a positive correlation between weight and TD. |
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