The Effects of Production Systems (Barn and Free-Range) on Foot Pad Dermatitis and Body Defects of White Turkeys

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of barn and free-range housing systems on some body defaults and foot-pad-dermatitis scores in turkeys. Total 176 male and female mixed white turkey poults were reared under intensive conditions until 8 weeks of age. The birds were allocated to two groups of compartments with 4 replicates and each replicate contained 11 female and 11 male poults. In the first group, poults were reared under intensive conditions and in the second group; poults had access to free-range area. At the age of 18-20 weeks, 88 Turkeys from two groups were slaughtered and live weight, foot and finger defects, craw enlarge and Foot-Pad Dermatitis (FPD) scores on right and left feet were determined. Data was subjected to analyses of variance for a fully randomised design. Live weight, age and breeding system data was evaluated by factorial variance analysis and the other data by non-parametric Friedman Test. Differences were determined by Kruskal-Walhs test in the traits whose interactions were found significant. Duncan Multiple Comparison Test was applied in the comparison of the groups. Also, the correlations between the traits and live weights were determined by Spearman's Rho. Effect of production systems on the live weight and FPD scores were found significant in the study. Free-range system had lower FPD values. Age and sex only affected craw enlarge and live weight. Craw enlarges and live weights were found significant by the effect of age x sex interaction. Also, FPD on right foot was found significant by the effect of housing system x age x sex interaction. © Medwell Journals, 2010.