Bedding Material and Stocking Density Influence the Performance, and the Occurrence of Footpad Dermatitis in Turkey Hens

Abstract

The turkey industry needs to continuously monitor the economics of production as well as the welfare of the animals in their care. To that end, turkey industry continuously examines new production systems that will meet consumer demands. Understanding factors like stocking densities and bedding material characteristics can give the turkey producers tools to adjust management to keep production sustainable. Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is a common problem in commercial turkey houses, which is characterized by presence of hyperkeratosis, discoloration, necrotic lesions and ulcers that develop on the footpad of turkeys. Development of FPD has multifactorial causes, although high litter moisture is usually a direct or underlying cause. FPD is associated with pain for birds and thus, is a welfare concern. Many footpad scoring systems are available to classify the footpad lesions of poultry and have been used as indices of flock welfare. Although footpad scoring systems exist, none meet all the needs of the turkey industry alone. The ideal system should objectively evaluate footpad health on commercial farms by lay persons using easily understandable terms, which classifies the footpad lesions easily. Farm FPD assessment is important, as the litter moisture can be improved by management techniques, thus improving turkey welfare during their life span. Both the type of bedding material and turkey stocking density can affect both performance and welfare. A study was conducted to investigate two bedding materials and three stocking densities on turkey hen performance, FPD and litter characteristics. Turkey hens were kept on two bedding materials (pine shavings, PS, and Giant miscanthus grass, MG), and three stocking densities (8.5, 10.7, and 14.2 hens/m2 from d 1 until 2 wk of age, then 4.3, 5.4, and 7.1 hens/m2 between 2 and 14 wk of age, as low, medium, and high density, LD, MD, and HD, respectively). Density affected turkey performance, and improved indices including BW, FI, FCR were observed at LD. LD was associated with lower footpad scores, and lower litter moisture content. Giant miscanthus grass resulted in lowered FCR in the first two weeks, however, litter moisture, and footpad scores were higher, which may impair turkey welfare. Correlation also indicated the positive relationship between larger particle size (> 4.76 mm, sieve size 4) of MG bedding and increased incidence of FPD (r = 0.81, P < 0.05). Therefore further studies needed to investigate the effects of finer particle size on litter moisture and footpad health to evaluate MG, and using other welfare indices in addition to the FPD might be beneficial to see a broader welfare aspect.