The Effects of Production Systems (Barn and Free-Range) on Foot Pad Dermatitis and Body Defects of White Turkeys

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of barn and free-range housing systems on some body defaults and foot-pad-dermatitis scores in turkeys. Total 176 male and female mixed white turkey poults were reared under intensive conditions until 8 weeks of age. The birds were allocated to two groups of compartments with 4 replicated and each replicate contained 11 female and 11 male poults. In the first group, defects, craw enlarge and Foot-Pad Dermatitis (FPD) score on right and left feet were determined. Data was subjected to analyses of variance for a fully randomised design. Live weight, age and breeding system data was evaluated by factorial variance analysis and the other data by non-parametric Friedman Test. Differences were determined by Kruskal-Wallis test in the traits whose interactions were found significant. Duncan Multiple Comparison Test was applied in the comparison of the groups. Also, the correlations between the traits and live weights were determined by Spearman's Rho. Effect of production systems on the live weight and FPD enlarge and live weight. Craw enlarges and live weights were found significant by the effect of age x sex interaction. Also, FPD on right foot was found significant by the effect of housing system x age x sex interation.