Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Animal Science

Advisor/Mentor

Alrubaye, Adnan

Committee Member

Rogers, Lauren

Second Committee Member

Coffey, Ken

Abstract

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is a significant cause of lameness in commercial broilers, resulting in substantial animal welfare concerns and economic losses. This study evaluated the effect of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ glycoside supplementation duration on the incidence of BCO-related lameness in broilers. Cobb surplus male broiler chicks were assigned to four treatment groups: a wire-flooring positive control, a litter-flooring negative control, and two treatment groups on litter flooring receiving 1 μg 1,25(OH)₂D₃ as glycosides supplementation per kg diet for either 14 or 28 days. Lameness incidence was recorded from day 22 through day 56, and all lame birds were evaluated for characteristic BCO lesions.

Cumulative lameness incidence reached 86.3% in the positive control and 86.7% in the negative control. Compared to the negative control group, birds supplemented for 14 days exhibited a slower development of cumulative lameness but ended with a similar incidence at 56 days of age (84.7%), whereas birds supplemented for 28 days showed significantly lower lameness incidence at 56 days of age (55.0%). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between the 28-day supplementation group and both the negative control and the 14-day supplementation group (P < 0.001). No consistent differences in lesion severity were observed among treatments.

These results indicate that the duration of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ glycoside supplementation plays a critical role in reducing BCO-associated lameness. Supplementation during the first 28 days of development provides greater protection against lameness than shorter supplementation durations.

Keywords

Poultry Science; Broiler Supplementation; Bacterial Chondronecrosis

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