Research Article

Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens

Volume: 8 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of perch cooling and litter thickness on the biomechanical properties of the tibia in broiler chickens. A total of nine treatment groups were formed using cooled or non-cooled perches combined with litter depths of 1, 7, or 14 cm. On day 42, left tibias (n = 7 per group) were collected and subjected to a three-point bending test to determine maximum force (Fmax), stiffness, strength, and elastic modulus. Broilers provided with cooled perches exhibited significantly higher Fmax values (290 ± 8.23 N) compared with other perch treatments (P < 0.05). Litter thickness did not significantly influence tibial Fmax or other mechanical parameters. The findings indicate that cooled perches, together with a moderate litter depth (7 cm), may contribute to slightly improved tibial mechanical performance. Further studies involving additional long bones and different enrichment designs are required to clarify the extent of these effects on skeletal quality.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research did not receive any specific grant from public, commercial, or not-for-profit funding agencies.

Ethical Statement

All procedures involving animals were conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines of Aydın Adnan Menderes University (Protocol No: 64583101/2017/049, approval date: 13 June 2017).

Thanks

The bone samples used in this study were obtained from the project no VTF-17053 was supported by Aydin Adnan Menderes University of Veterinary Faculty, Turkey.

References

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  2. Bailie, C. L., & O’Connell, N. E. (2015). The influence of providing perches and string on activity levels, fearfulness and leg health in commercial broiler chickens. Animal, 9(4), 660-668. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731114002821
  3. Bessei, W. (2006). Welfare of broilers: a review. World's Poultry Science Journal, 62(3), 455-466.
  4. Birgül, O. B., Mutaf, S. & Alkan, S. (2012). Effects of different angled perches on leg disorders in broilers. European Poultry Science, 76, 44-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9098(25)01548-6
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  6. Dereli Fidan, E., Kaya, M., Nazligul, A., & Turkyilmaz, M. K. (2020a). The effects of perch cooling on behavior, welfare criteria, performance, and litter quality of broilers reared at high temperatures with different litter thicknesses. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 22(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9061-2019-1083
  7. Dereli Fidan, E., Türkyilmaz, M. K., Nazligul, A., & Kaya, M. (2020b). The effects of perch cooling on performance, carcass, and meat quality characteristics and behaviour of broilers reared at high temperatures with different litter thicknesses. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 67, 373–379. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.656030
  8. Dereli Fidan, E., Turkyilmaz, M. K., Nazligul, A., Kaya, M., & Kilimci, F. S. (2021). Effect of perch cooling and litter thickness on leg health and bone characteristics in broilers. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 23(3), 531–544.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Animal Health Economics and Management, Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 3, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

APA
Dereli Fidan, E., Khan, K., & Kaya, M. (2026). Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens. Turkish Veterinary Journal, 8(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.51755/turkvetj.1835485
AMA
1.Dereli Fidan E, Khan K, Kaya M. Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens. Turk Vet J. 2026;8(1):1-6. doi:10.51755/turkvetj.1835485
Chicago
Dereli Fidan, Evrim, Komal Khan, and Mehmet Kaya. 2026. “Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens”. Turkish Veterinary Journal 8 (1): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.51755/turkvetj.1835485.
EndNote
Dereli Fidan E, Khan K, Kaya M (June 1, 2026) Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens. Turkish Veterinary Journal 8 1 1–6.
IEEE
[1]E. Dereli Fidan, K. Khan, and M. Kaya, “Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens”, Turk Vet J, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–6, June 2026, doi: 10.51755/turkvetj.1835485.
ISNAD
Dereli Fidan, Evrim - Khan, Komal - Kaya, Mehmet. “Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens”. Turkish Veterinary Journal 8/1 (June 1, 2026): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.51755/turkvetj.1835485.
JAMA
1.Dereli Fidan E, Khan K, Kaya M. Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens. Turk Vet J. 2026;8:1–6.
MLA
Dereli Fidan, Evrim, et al. “Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens”. Turkish Veterinary Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 1-6, doi:10.51755/turkvetj.1835485.
Vancouver
1.Evrim Dereli Fidan, Komal Khan, Mehmet Kaya. Effects of Perch Cooling and Litter Thickness on the Tibial Biomechanical Properties of Broiler Chickens. Turk Vet J. 2026 Jun. 1;8(1):1-6. doi:10.51755/turkvetj.1835485