IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE PODODERMATITE E QUALIDADE DA CAMA DE FRANGOS DE CORTE, CRIADOS SOBRE DOIS TIPOS DE CAMA E DUAS DENSIDADES

The objective was to evaluate lesions of pododermatitis and the quality of litter of broiler chickens reared on two types of bed and two densities. A total of 216 mixed chicks were used, distributed in a completely randomized experimental design (DIC), in a factorial arrangement, two bed types and two densities, with four treatments and six replicates. The values of pH, humidity and temperature of the bed from 28 to 42 days of age were evaluated and the visual score of the plantar cushion of the feet at 42 days of age. The densities and bed types did not influence the values of pH, humidity, bed temperature and the visual score of the plantar cushion of broilers slaughtered at 42 days of age. It was concluded that visual score analysis was not effective in identifying lesions on the plantar cushion of broilers at 42 days of age.