Estratégias de manejo para melhoria locomotora em frangos de corte: o papel do enriquecimento ambiental e dos melhoradores de desempenho

Abstract

The broiler poultry sector faces the challenge of reconciling rapid growth driven by intense genetic improvement with animal welfare, as locomotor disorders and footpad lesions are limiting factors. The use of dietary additives, such as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), has historically been crucial for performance, while probiotics (PROB) have emerged as promising alternatives for modulating the microbiota and optimizing nutrient absorption. In parallel, environmental enrichment (EE) is recognized as a management strategy capable of stimulating natural behavior and physical development. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different combinations of additives (antibiotic and probiotic), with and without the use of EE, on physical development and key welfare indicators in broilers. A total of 1,440 male broiler chicks of the Ross TM4® strain were randomly distributed into 48 pens, with 30 birds each, housed in an experimental poultry facility at the Federal University of Grande Dourados. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3×2 factorial arrangement (six treatments and eight replicates). The study compared control, AGP, and PROB treatments, with or without environmental enrichment, using permanent enrichment (plastic slatted ramp) and temporary enrichment rotated every three days, including metallic strips, mirrors, iron chains, alfalfa hay, and colored balls. Parameters related to the birds’ locomotor system were evaluated, such as gait score, presence of valgus and varus, latency to lie, and incidence of footpad dermatitis. The results showed that the use of antibiotics (with or without enrichment) yielded the best outcomes in most analyses; however, probiotics also achieved values similar to antibiotics. It was concluded that both antibiotics and probiotics are effective in mitigating locomotor disorders, suggesting that modulation of gut health (either through microbial suppression or optimization of nutrient absorption) plays a key role in leg health. The equivalence of results between AGP and PROB supports the viability of probiotics as a sustainable alternative to promote locomotor health in production systems seeking to reduce antibiotic use.