Effects of animal and vegetable protein sourceson litter characteristics and incidence of footpaddermatitis in broiler chickens

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of using of poultry by-product meal as animal protein source,to comparison all vegetable diets formulated with soybean meal,on prevention of footpad dermatitis in broiler chickens.a total of 280,7-day-old ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to 28 pens that included 7 treatments with new pine shavings as litter.each treatment had 4 replications.experimental treatments were :1) control 2. 3 and 4) diets with 5% of poultry by-product meal with arrangement of A,B and C slaughterhouse:5 , 6 and 7) diets from 8 day old up to 42 ays of age.data were evaluated by ANOVA in a completely randomized design statistical procedure of SAS software.mean differences representing statistical diffrences were using Tukey,s test.the feet were scored on all birds on 28, 35 and 42 day of age and the severity of lesions was recorded as none,intermediate and severe.litter samples were collected 28, 35 and 42 of age for moisture,total N and pH analysis.the incidence of footpad dermatitis was significantly affected by protein source and protein levels.birds fed all vegetable diets showing higher incidence and severity than those fed vegetable plus animal diets.litter moisture,N2 and pH,although not significant.the incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis was significantly affected by protein source and protein levels and age.hence,nutritional factors play a significant role in the etiology of FPD in broilers.