Poultry, Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of Litter Density, Organic Minerals (Availa Zn and Mn) and Microaid on the Incidence of Footpad Dermatitis in Broiler Chickens

Josafhat SR, Juan VHC, Juan MCC, Aleida SHC, Miguel ALV, Victor HBD, Osval AML and Joel VV

The effect of litter density, organic minerals and an extract of Yucca schidigera (MicroAid®) on the development of footpad dermatitis (FPD) in broiler chickens was evaluated. Four treatments were studied: Trt 1) traditional fattening program plus a litter density of 1 kg m-2, Trt 2) traditional fattening program (Trt 1) plus a litter density of 2 kg m-2, Trt 3) traditional fattening program plus a foot health program (40 ppm of Availa-Zn, 40 ppm of Availa-Mn and 125 ppm of MicroAid®) added to the diet, and Trt 4) combination of treatment 2 (Trt 2) and the foot health program implemented in treatment 3. Ross-line chickens were used. FPD was evaluated at day 45 of the fattening cycle using three scores (categories): 0=no lesions, 1=mild lesion and 2=severe lesion. Data were analysed using a generalized linear mixed model with multinomial response. Significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments were observed. The increase in litter density and the foot health program, on a separate basis, significantly reduced the percentage of chickens with a severe lesion to the footpad and increased the percentage of chickens with no lesions. The use of organic minerals (Availa-Zn and Availa-Mn at 40 ppm) and MicroAid® as supplements in the diet in conjunction with a litter density of 2 kg m-2 resulted in the greatest reduction in the incidence of FPD in broiler chickens (Trt 4).