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Penn State *
Poultry T
Pointers : 1/1
EXERCISE IMPROVES
BONE STRENGTH
Dr. Carol V. Gay
Professor of
Molecular and
Cell Biology and
Poultry Science
Strong, healthy skeletons are
essential to the egg-laying process.
This is because the skeleton pro
vides the nighttime reserve of cal
cium for the eggshell after ingested
calcium has been absorbed from
the digestive tract. It is estimated
that 30-40 percent of the eggshell
comes from calcium stored in the
bones. During a 70-week laying
period, a single hen will utilize
about 1/4 pounds of calcium, an
amount roughly equivalent to the
entire mass of its skeleton.
While constant replacement of
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calcium to the skeleton occurs, the
replacement process is not perfect
an incremental loss of bone
takes place that eventually results
in weakened bones. The resulting
condition is known as “cage layer
fatigue.”
Even though good management
practice will have provided the
hens with a high density source of
calcium, such as oyster shell and
various limestone sources, by the
end of its efficient laying period,
the hen will have a substantially
weakened skeleton. This creates a
problem at the processing plant. A
1989 study in Britain found that
nearly a third of spent layers had
broken bones by the time they
reached the scalding tanks and
most had incurred fractures at the
end of the evisceration line.
Maintaining strong bones is a
complex challenge. Numerous
factors are involved. A place to
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begin would be to select genetic
strains that have thick bones. The
premise is simple: thicker bones
have more calcium to lose.
Nutrition is an important factor
to consider. This is a complicated
issue and many factors are
involved, but especially important
are intake levels of calcium, pho
sphate. and vitamin D. The hor
mone status of the hen is an impor
tant consideration, but difficult to
manipulate.
Also high on the list of impor
tant relevant factors is exercise.
Bone responds remarkably to exer
cise. Both bone mass and bone
strength increase as a result of reg
ular exercise. We have some
understanding of why this is so.
Passing within bone is a system of
tiny pipes, called canaliculi. When
an individual moves, intermittent
compressive forces are applied to
the bones. Fluid in the canaliculi
surges down the direction of the
force and into all fluid spaces in the
bone. Cells within bone are in con
tact with this fluid.
Cells within bone respond to
intermittent compressive force by
forming more bone. Specifically,
bone cells synthesize and secrete
proteins that calcify. The cells
detect the application of mechani
cal forces through unique mole
cules on the cell surfaces that
respond to being stretched, or per
turbed when the fluid in bone
flows over the cell. When stimu-
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lated, the force-detecting surface
molecules react by changing
shape. The molecule in its new
shape can interact with a second,
different molecule. The two mole
cules now fit together, much like
two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and,
together, trigger a series of chemi
cal reactions that results in stimu
lating the bone cell to synthesize
and secrete protein.
It is well established that exer
cise stimulates bone formation in
Financial
Workshop Set
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN
(Schuylkill Co.) All interested
in farm financial management are
invited to attend a series of three
evening meetings on “Farm
Financial Management”
Husbands and wives and/or
business partners are encouraged
to attend as management teams.
The meetings will be held on
January 6,13 and 27. from 7 p.m.
to 9 p.m. The meetings will be
held at the Penn State Schuylkill
Campus Conference Center,
Schuylkill Haven. The sessions
are presented by Schuylkill Coun
ty Cooperative Extension.
J. Allan Shoener, extension
agent agriculture, will be speak
ing on the following topics: farm
business plans, financial manage
ment tools (balance sheets, cash
flow statements, partial budgets,
financial statements), and enter
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humans. For birds, fewer studies
have been made, but it is known
that broilers and laying hens raised
in floor pens have stronger bones
than those reared in cages. Exactly
how much exercise is required for
strengthening bones in hens is not
known. Based on the available
data for mammals, a means of
exercising caged hens is likely to
be of considerable value provided
that a practical system could be
devised. .
prise budgets.
The program is designed to be a
practical hands-on workshop to
aid in managing your farming
operation. The discussions will
cover the steps needed to plan a
farm operation, understanding and
using financial management tools,
and developing and using enter
prise budgets. The program will
build on previous farm financial
management clinics and will
involve class and homework
assignments. Ample time will be
allowed for discussions, ques
tions, and answers.
Advance registration is
required (no fee). Registration is
due by January 3. To register or
for more information on the work
shop, contact the Schuylkill Coun
ty Cooperative Extension office,
P.O. Box 250, Schuylkill Haven,
PA 17972-0250, (717) 385-3431.
CONTACT:
P.O. Box 126,
Phlllfpsburg,
NJ 08865
908/454-7900
1-800-447-7436
lllinok only, call
1400426-6606