Describing the growth and molt of modern domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) primary wing feathers

Author:

Leishman Emily M1ORCID,van Staaveren Nienke12ORCID,McIntyre Don R3,Mohr Jeff4,Wood Benjamin J145,Baes Christine F16,Harlander-Matauschek Alexandra2

Affiliation:

1. Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

2. Department of Animal Biosciences, The Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

3. DRM Consulting LLC, Shelby, NC

4. Department is Research and Development, Hybrid Turkeys, Kitchener, ON, Canada

5. School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia

6. Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

Abstract

Abstract The use of feathers as noninvasive physiological measurements of biomarkers in poultry research is expanding. Feather molting patterns and growth rates, however, are not well described in domestic poultry. These parameters could influence the measurement of these biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the juvenile primary feather molting patterns and feather growth rates for domestic turkeys. The 10 primary wing feathers of 48 female turkeys were measured weekly from week 1 (0 d of age) to week 20. Feathers were manually measured, and the presence or absence of each primary feather was recorded weekly. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate if feather growth differed between the primary feathers. The molting of the juvenile primary feathers followed a typical descending pattern starting with P1 (5 wk of age), while P9 and P10 had not molted by the end of the study (20 wk of age). The average feather growth rate was 2.4 cm/wk, although there was a significant difference between the 10 primary feathers (P < 0.0001, 2.1 to 2.8 cm/wk). Over time, feather growth followed a pattern where the growth rate reaches a peak and then declines until the feather is molted. The results of this study provide a critical update of patterns of molting and feather growth in primary wing feathers of modern turkeys. This can have implications for the interpretation of physiological biomarkers, such as the longitudinal deposition of corticosterone, in the feathers of domestic turkeys.

Funder

Government of Canada

Ontario Genomics Institute

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Genetics,Animal Science and Zoology,General Medicine,Food Science

Reference29 articles.

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2. Avian molting;Dawson,2015

3. Exogenous and endogenous corticosterone alter feather quality;DesRochers;Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A. Mol. Integr. Physiol,2009

4. The growth of turkeys 1. Growth of the body and feathers and the chemical composition of growth;Gous;Br. Poult. Sci,2019

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