Značaj prostirke u nastanku pododermatitisa

Abstract

Contact dermatitis (lat. pododermatitis) is a condition characterized by inflammation and necrotic lesions that can be superficial or deep, localized on the plantar surface of the foot. Lesions on the plantar part can be further complicated by secondary bacterial infection, which can subsequently lead to inflammation of joints. Such lesions manifest pain, whether infected or not, representing a problem from a welfare point of view. Poor quality of the bedding material most often affects the occurrence of pododermatitis. There are several methods for classification the level of lesion severity to the soles and joints. The most common and widespread methods of assessment pododermatitis are observation and palpation in accordance with the recommendations of Welfare Quality®. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of pododermatitis in broilers reared on six different types of bedding materials, including chopped wheat straw (treatment I), wood shavings (treatment II), mixture of 1/3 chopped wheat straw, 1/3 wood shavings and 1/3 peat (treatment III), wheat straw pellets (treatment IV), softwood pellets (treatment V), and pellets of 1/3 wheat straw, 1/3 wood shavings and 1/3 peat (treatment VI). According to the results obtained, at the end of fattening (day 42), a significantly (p<0.05) lower incidence of damage was recorded in treatments VI, II and IV, where pelleted bedding formulations and non-pelletized shavings formulations were applied. Significantly, (p<0.05) the highest degree of damage to the skin of the plantar surface of the broiler legs was recorded in treatment III, where non-pelletized formulation of the mixture of 1/3 chopped wheat straw, 1/3 sawdust and 1/3 peat was applied. The lowest grade of lesions was observed at the feet of broilers reared on pelleted bedding formulations and nonpelletized shavings, due to the softness of the materials and their structure. Since broilers are in constant contact with the bedding materials, adequate management, good material selection, proper storage and use of materials contributes to better health and welfare of the broilers.