scholarly journals Effects of Rearing Aviary Style and Genetic Strain on the Locomotion and Musculoskeletal Characteristics of Layer Pullets

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 634
Author(s):  
Amanda Pufall ◽  
Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek ◽  
Michelle Hunniford ◽  
Tina M. Widowski

Previous research indicates that the musculoskeletal development of pullets is improved when pullets are reared in aviaries compared to conventional rearing cages. However, there are considerable differences in rearing aviary design. To measure locomotion and musculoskeletal development of brown (n = 7) and white-feathered (n = 8) strains of pullets, 15 commercial flocks in three styles of rearing aviaries differing in structural complexity (n = 5 per style) were visited three times: 25.9 ± 6.67, 68.0 ± 4.78, and 112.1 ± 3.34 days of age. Locomotion (duration of standing, sitting, walking, running, flying, and rates jumping, flying, group running and walking) was analysed from videos recorded three times per day: at the beginning, middle, and end of the light cycle. Pullets for dissection were taken on visits 2 and 3. Pullets in the most complex system (style 3; S3) spent the most time locomoting throughout rearing (p < 0.05). Pullets in S3, particularly white-feathered strains, performed the highest rate of vertical transitions (p < 0.05). There were no differences in any of the proportional muscle weights between aviaries styles (p > 0.05) despite the differences in locomotion. White-feathered strains, however, had proportionally heavier pectoralis major (p < 0.0001), pectoralis minor (p < 0.0001), and lighter leg muscles (p < 0.0001) than brown-feathered strains. White-feathered strains and pullets in S3 also had proportionally stronger tibiae and femurs than brown-feathered strains and pullets housed in the least structurally complex system (style 1; S1) (p < 0.05). However, there were no differences found in the breaking strength of the radius and humerus between strain colours or aviary styles (p < 0.05). Therefore, strain, as well as differences in rearing aviary design, can affect the types of locomotion that growing pullets perform, which may, in turn, impact their skeletal development.

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 40-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
PSV Devi ◽  
CK Reddy ◽  
N Satyanarayana ◽  
P Sunitha ◽  
N Reddy ◽  
...  

A 12 year old boy was admitted in the medical ward, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences hospital, Karimnagar, with severe dyspnoea of one week duration. During the clinical examination, besides the auscultatory findings, it was observed that the boy was a typical case of Poland's anomaly, characterized by deficiency of the sterno-costal part of Pectoralis major and entire pectoralis minor, minor associated with hypoplastic, thenar and hypothenar muscles. Considering the rarity involved in finding such a sporadic, congenital but non fatal medical condition, knowledge of musculoskeletal anomalies is important for clinicians, orthopedics and plastic surgeons. Keywords: Poland's anomaly; deficiency; musculoskeletal anomalies. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i3.4074Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol. 6, No. 3 pp.40-43


1963 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 1185-1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Ray Salt

Although both the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor muscles of a number of species of passerine birds are red in color, the pectoralis majors are composed of only one type of fiber, a dark fiber, while the pectoralis minors are composed of dark and pale fibers. The two fibers differ in size and in fibrillar and non-fibrillar content. In the pectoralis minor muscles of the snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis, the ratio of dark to pale fibers is about two to one but this ratio differs in other species. It is suggested that the two types of fiber serve different functions in the pectoralis muscles and thus affect the mode of flight.


2003 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 1266-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Scevola ◽  
Joseph Cowan ◽  
Douglas H. Harrison

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