Pendulous Crop in Broilers

ABSTRACTPendulous crop is a physiological disorder, which etiology is still unknown and it is characterized by abnormal dilation of the crop of poultry. This article aims at reporting a case of high incidence of pendulous crop in male and female broilers Cobb 500, as well as to discuss its possible causes and consequences. In an experiment with broilers performed at the experimental facilities of Laboratório de Ensino Zootécnico of UFRGS, a high incidence (9.5%) of pendulous crop was observed. Genetic predisposition is the most frequently documented and accepted cause of that condition. Despite presenting the same live weight as normal broilers, birds with pendulous crop had lower carcass weight due to dehydration and malnourishment, and should be culled after diagnosis. Therefore, further studies on the origin and control of this physiological disorder are warranted.

摘要：嗉囊下垂（pendulous crop）是一种生理紊乱性疾病，其病因迄今尚未明确，特征为家禽嗉囊异常扩张。本文旨在报道一起科布500（Cobb 500）商品肉鸡雌雄个体均出现高发病率嗉囊下垂的病例，并探讨其可能的病因与转归。本次试验在南里奥格兰德联邦大学（UFRGS）畜牧教学实验室的试验设施中开展，期间观察到嗉囊下垂的发病率高达9.5%。遗传易感性是该病症目前被报道最多且认可度最高的病因。尽管患病肉鸡与健康肉鸡的活体重无显著差异，但由于脱水与营养不良，患病个体的屠体重量更低，确诊后应予以淘汰。因此，针对该生理紊乱性疾病的起源与防控开展进一步研究具有必要性。