The use of AVIMATRIX not only reduced litter moisture but at
the same time also increased the friability scores. The moistness scores for the litter of AVIMATRIX fed birds were lower (higher litter quality) than the scores for the control group. In both diets, there was no diarrhea noted at any stage nor did the broilers exhibit dirty cloaca or sticky droppings which indicates that, even under good conditions, AVIMATRIX was able to improve litter quality. This clearly suggests an effect at gut level and can be seen as an indicator for improved digestive processes. At the same time, bird performance was improved supporting the importance of stabilizing the gut. AVIMATRIX significantly improved feed efficiency resulting in heavier and more uniform birds at the end of the trial (lower coefficient of variation) (Table 1).
Table 1: Performance results per treatment from 0 – 42 days of age Control
AVIMATRIX (500g/t)
Body weight (BW) day 0 (g)
Coefficient of variation BW d0 (%) Body weight (BW) day 42 (g)
Coefficient of variation BW d42 (%) Body weight gain day 0 – 42 (g) Feed conversion ratio
40 6.3
2614 13.1 2574
1.623a 40 6.5
2687 11.9 2647
1.593b Encouraged by the positive findings on litter quality, the benefit
of AVIMATRIX on reducing foot pad lesions was evaluated under different commercial situations in three broiler operations (Germany, Denmark and Italy). In each trial, the inclusion rate of AVIMATRIX was 500g/tonne of feed, from the starter to the finisher phase. In two of the integrations, Ross 308 birds were used, in the other Cobb 500 birds. All three of them represented typical regional “standards” with regards to feed type, genetics, farm management and performance results. Foot pads were scored at the slaughterhouse by using the established Swedish three class scoring system (0 = no or very small superficial lesions, slight discoloration on a limited area, mild hyperkeratosis; 1 = mild lesions, discoloration of the foot pad, superficial lesions, dark papillae; 2 = Severe lesions, Ulcers or scabs, signs of hemorrhages or swollen foot pads). Based on these, the foot pad dermatitis score (FPS) by flock was
calculated, as proposed in the EU directive. FPS is the parameter used in various countries to set animal welfare targets at farm level and its level is directly linked to potential measurements and penalties
for farmers. The lower the number, the higher the foot pad health and welfare status of the birds on a farm.
FPS =
100 x (number of birds with score 0 x 0) + (number of birds with score 1 x 0.5) + (number of birds with score 2 x2)
Total number of birds scored In all three broiler houses the addition of AVIMATRIX in the diet
clearly improved foot pad health (Table 2.). Within each farm, there was a different ratio of the 3 types of scores seen. At Farm 2 for example almost 50% of the control birds evaluated had a scoring 2, whereas in the AVIMATRIX fed birds this level was reduced down to 29.6%. The 3rd
farm already had a relatively good foot pad health, 68% of the non-
supplemented birds obtained a score 0, only 6% received a score 2. Still AVIMATRIX was able to improve the conditions of the foot pads as seen in a reduction of the overall FPS by 50%. Thus even under good conditions, supporting gut health with AVIMATRIX can have a positive effect on the quality of the feet. The FPS for all farms, as a benchmark was improved by almost 30 % on average, varying from 22% to 50%. These findings demonstrate that providing broilers with an optimal
gut health enhances foot pad health, regardless of the kind of farm or regional conditions. Ensuring a balanced gut microflora supports a higher litter quality which reduces the incidence and severity of FPD. It is also self-evident that with healthier birds, the higher growth can be achieved at lower costs. Several researches with independent European institutes and under commercial conditions have shown significant improvements in daily gain, feed efficiency together with lower mortality rates with AVIMATRIX.
Conclusion Managing foot pad dermatitis is receiving more and more attention within the broiler industry. Not only is FPD increasingly used as an indicator of decreased broiler welfare, it also has a substantial direct and indirect effect on broiler production profitability. Improving the balance of the microbiota in the gut, thus increasing the litter quality with AVIMATRIX, supports healthier foot pads. The application of AVIMATRIX in broiler diets can therefore be regarded as an important nutritional strategy, together with a proper farm management, to prevent or reduce the incidence of foot pad dermititis.
For more information, visit
www.novusint.com/avimatrix Table 2: Benefit of applying 500g/t of AVIMATRIX in commercial broiler diets on foot pad health Farm 1
Score 0 1 2
FPS Reduction in FPS (%)
Control 37.5 58.6 3.9
37.1 22.4 % PAGE 28 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 FEED COMPOUNDER
AVIMATRIX 49.0 48.8 2.2
28.8
Relative distribution of foot pad scoring (%) Farm 2
Control 2.4
48.8 48.8 122
25.7 %
AVIMATRIX 7.4
63.0 29.6 90.7
Control 68.0 26.0 6.0
25.0 50 % Farm 3
AVIMATRIX 78.0 21.0 1.0
12.5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68