O aumento na produção de biodiesel e, consequentemente, de glicerina como subproduto, motivou a utilização desta na alimentação animal. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar as alterações fisiológicas do uso de glicerina na alimentação de frangos de corte, analisando o consumo e excreção de água, sua implicação na qualidade da cama e possível retenção de água pelas aves. Foram realizados três experimentos, dois com frangos de corte machos da linhagem Ross 308 e um com cama de aviário. No Experimento 1 (E1) foram utilizados 240 pintinhos distribuídos em 24 gaiolas em baterias, em um delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado (DIA) com 3 tratamentos e 8 repetições de 10 aves criadas até os 40 dias de idade. Os tratamentos foram compostos por dietas experimentais sendo: T1 - controle - à base de milho (M) e farelo de soja (FS); T2 - dieta com inclusão de 10% de glicerina loira (GL); T3 - dieta com inclusão de 8,75% de glicerina purificada (GP) para conter a mesma quantidade em glicerol que a GL. Foram avaliados o consumo de água, de ração e matéria seca (MS) das excretas como medidas repetidas no tempo. Aos 40 dias de idade foi determinada a MS do conteúdo ileal. Não houve efeito de tratamentos no consumo de ração. O consumo de água foi maior quando utilizada glicerina nas rações (T2 e T3). A relação consumo de água:ração apresentou interação tratamento × idade, sendo T2 e T3 maiores do que o controle até os 28 dias de idade e, após essa idade, o T3 passou a ser maior do que o T2. A matéria seca das excretas do T2 e T3 foi, de maneira geral, próxima ao T1 aos 16 e 20 dias e após os 24 dias de idade foi inferior. No Experimento 2 foi avaliada a capacidade de retenção de água (CRA) da cama composta por maravalha de madeira e as excretas das aves dos tratamentos do E1, acondicionadas em recipientes, em um DIA, composto por 3 tratamentos e 6 repetições. Por sete dias foi adicionada água à mistura. Foram avaliadas as umidades inicial e final para determinação da CRA, porém os resultados não apresentaram diferenças. No Experimento 3 foi elaborado um DIA similar ao E1, entretanto com os seguintes tratamentos: T1 - controle - dieta a base de M e FS; T2 - inclusão de 5% de GL; T3 - inclusão de 10% de GL. Foram realizados 2 abates (aos 7 e 42 dias de idade) e coletados: sangue, fígado, intestino músculo do peito e pintinho inteiro (apenas aos 7 dias), para avaliação da MS e proteína bruta (apenas músculo e fígado). As variáveis não apresentaram diferenças significativas, exceto pela MS do fígado, que foi menor para o T3. Os resultados indicam que aves alimentadas com níveis elevados de glicerina apresentam consumo e excreção de água maiores, podendo levar a uma piora na qualidade da cama. A matéria seca corporal, de maneira geral não foi afetada, exceção para a redução observada no fígado. / The increase in biodiesel production and, consequently, of glycerin as a byproduct, has led to its use in animal nutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological changes of feeding broilers with glycerin by analyzing water consumption and excretion, its effects on litter quality and possible water retention by poultry. Three experiments were conducted. Two comprised Ross 308 male broilers and one of poultry litter. In experiment 1 (E1), 240 chicks were distributed in 24 cages in batteries, in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three treatments and eight repetitions of 10 birds reared until 40 days of age. Experimental diets were used in the treatments: T1 - control - corn (C) and soybean meal based diet (SM); T2 - diet with 10% glycerin (GL); T3 - diet with 8.75% purified glycerin (GP) to contain the same amount in glycerol of GL. The consumption of water, feed and the dry matter (DM) of the excreta were evaluated as repeated measures in time. At 40 days of age, the DM of the ileal content was determined. There was no effect of treatments on feed consumption. Water consumption was higher when glycerin was used in the diet (T2, T3). The ratio for water:feed consumption showed interaction treatment × age, and in T2 and T3, it was greater than in the control until 28 days of age. Afterwards, T3 was greater than T2. The DM of the excreta of T2 and T3 was generally similar to that in T1 at 16 and 20 days of age, and after 24 days of age, it was lower. In experiment 2, it was evaluated the water retention capacity (WRC) of litter composed of wood shavings and excreta of the birds of treatments of E1, kept in bowls, in a CRD, composed of three treatments and six repetitions. For seven days, water was added to the mixture. It was evaluated the initial and final moisture to determine WRC. There was no difference among treatments. In E3, it was prepared a CRD similar to that in E1, with the following treatments: T1 - control - C and SMbased diet; T2 - 5% of GL; T3 - 10% of GL. Two slaughters were carried out (at 7 and 42 days of age) and it was collected: blood, liver, intestines, breast muscle and whole chick (only at 7 days) to evaluate DM and crude protein (only muscle and liver). The variables showed no significant differences, except for DM of the liver, which was lower for T3. The results show that birds fed high glycerin contents diets have increased water consumption and excretion; the increased water excretion is due to urinary loss and not to fecal loss. Body and tissue dry matter was not changed with the exception for a reduction found in the liver.

O aumento na produção de biodiesel e, consequentemente, de glicerina como subproduto, motivou a utilização desta na alimentação animal. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar as alterações fisiológicas do uso de glicerina na alimentação de frangos de corte, analisando o consumo e excreção de água, sua implicação na qualidade da cama e possível retenção de água pelas aves. Foram realizados três experimentos, dois com frangos de corte machos da linhagem Ross 308 e um com cama de aviário. No Experimento 1 (E1) foram utilizados 240 pintinhos distribuídos em 24 gaiolas em baterias, em um delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado (DIA) com 3 tratamentos e 8 repetições de 10 aves criadas até os 40 dias de idade. Os tratamentos foram compostos por dietas experimentais sendo: T1 - controle - à base de milho (M) e farelo de soja (FS); T2 - dieta com inclusão de 10% de glicerina loira (GL); T3 - dieta com inclusão de 8,75% de glicerina purificada (GP) para conter a mesma quantidade em glicerol que a GL. Foram avaliados o consumo de água, de ração e matéria seca (MS) das excretas como medidas repetidas no tempo. Aos 40 dias de idade foi determinada a MS do conteúdo ileal. Não houve efeito de tratamentos no consumo de ração. O consumo de água foi maior quando utilizada glicerina nas rações (T2 e T3). A relação consumo de água:ração apresentou interação tratamento × idade, sendo T2 e T3 maiores do que o controle até os 28 dias de idade e, após essa idade, o T3 passou a ser maior do que o T2. A matéria seca das excretas do T2 e T3 foi, de maneira geral, próxima ao T1 aos 16 e 20 dias e após os 24 dias de idade foi inferior. No Experimento 2 foi avaliada a capacidade de retenção de água (CRA) da cama composta por maravalha de madeira e as excretas das aves dos tratamentos do E1, acondicionadas em recipientes, em um DIA, composto por 3 tratamentos e 6 repetições. Por sete dias foi adicionada água à mistura. Foram avaliadas as umidades inicial e final para determinação da CRA, porém os resultados não apresentaram diferenças. No Experimento 3 foi elaborado um DIA similar ao E1, entretanto com os seguintes tratamentos: T1 - controle - dieta a base de M e FS; T2 - inclusão de 5% de GL; T3 - inclusão de 10% de GL. Foram realizados 2 abates (aos 7 e 42 dias de idade) e coletados: sangue, fígado, intestino músculo do peito e pintinho inteiro (apenas aos 7 dias), para avaliação da MS e proteína bruta (apenas músculo e fígado). As variáveis não apresentaram diferenças significativas, exceto pela MS do fígado, que foi menor para o T3. Os resultados indicam que aves alimentadas com níveis elevados de glicerina apresentam consumo e excreção de água maiores, podendo levar a uma piora na qualidade da cama. A matéria seca corporal, de maneira geral não foi afetada, exceção para a redução observada no fígado. / The increase in biodiesel production and, consequently, of glycerin as a byproduct, has led to its use in animal nutrition. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological changes of feeding broilers with glycerin by analyzing water consumption and excretion, its effects on litter quality and possible water retention by poultry. Three experiments were conducted. Two comprised Ross 308 male broilers and one of poultry litter. In experiment 1 (E1), 240 chicks were distributed in 24 cages in batteries, in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three treatments and eight repetitions of 10 birds reared until 40 days of age. Experimental diets were used in the treatments: T1 - control - corn (C) and soybean meal based diet (SM); T2 - diet with 10% glycerin (GL); T3 - diet with 8.75% purified glycerin (GP) to contain the same amount in glycerol of GL. The consumption of water, feed and the dry matter (DM) of the excreta were evaluated as repeated measures in time. At 40 days of age, the DM of the ileal content was determined. There was no effect of treatments on feed consumption. Water consumption was higher when glycerin was used in the diet (T2, T3). The ratio for water:feed consumption showed interaction treatment × age, and in T2 and T3, it was greater than in the control until 28 days of age. Afterwards, T3 was greater than T2. The DM of the excreta of T2 and T3 was generally similar to that in T1 at 16 and 20 days of age, and after 24 days of age, it was lower. In experiment 2, it was evaluated the water retention capacity (WRC) of litter composed of wood shavings and excreta of the birds of treatments of E1, kept in bowls, in a CRD, composed of three treatments and six repetitions. For seven days, water was added to the mixture. It was evaluated the initial and final moisture to determine WRC. There was no difference among treatments. In E3, it was prepared a CRD similar to that in E1, with the following treatments: T1 - control - C and SMbased diet; T2 - 5% of GL; T3 - 10% of GL. Two slaughters were carried out (at 7 and 42 days of age) and it was collected: blood, liver, intestines, breast muscle and whole chick (only at 7 days) to evaluate DM and crude protein (only muscle and liver). The variables showed no significant differences, except for DM of the liver, which was lower for T3. The results show that birds fed high glycerin contents diets have increased water consumption and excretion; the increased water excretion is due to urinary loss and not to fecal loss. Body and tissue dry matter was not changed with the exception for a reduction found in the liver.

Einleitung: Ausgangspunkt für die Untersuchungen sind Projektergebnisse aus der Mastphase, nach denen Fußballen von 45 % der in Deutschland gehaltenen Mastputen in der 6. Lebenswoche Epithelnekrosen aufweisen. Die vorliegende Arbeit ist Teil eines Folgeprojekts für die Aufzuchtphase und leitet aus den gewonnenen Ergebnissen Tierschutzindikatoren für die ersten Wochen ab. Ziele der Untersuchungen: Ziel der Arbeit war die Erhebung der Prävalenz von Fußballenentzündungen in der Aufzuchtphase von in Deutschland gehaltenen Mastputen des Hybrids B.U.T. 6 und die Messung der Einstreufeuchtigkeit in diesem Zeitraum. Tiere, Material und Methoden: Am Folgeprojekt nahmen bundesweit 46 Herden von 24 Betrieben teil. Aus jeder Herde wurden jeweils 60 Einzeltiere in der 1. Woche, dem ersten Untersuchungszeitpunkt (U1), und innerhalb der 4. und 5. Woche, dem zweiten Untersuchungszeitpunkt (U2), klinisch untersucht. Insgesamt wurden 5.531 Mastputen erfasst, davon 3.131 Hähne und 2.400 Hennen. Die Fußballen wurden mit Hilfe eines 5-stufigen Bewertungssystems beurteilt. Parallel zur klinischen Untersuchung wurden Einstreuproben aus dem Tränke-, Futter- und Ruhebereich sowie Vergleichsproben vor der Einstallung gezogen, insgesamt 625 Proben, und die Feuchtigkeit mit einem thermogravimetrischen Verfahren bestimmt. Die Tierhalter/-innen wurden zu den Haltungsbedingungen, zum Stallmanagement und zur Herkunft der Herde mit Hilfe von standardisierten Bögen befragt. Die biometrische Auswertung erfolgte mit Methoden der explorativen Datenanalyse, Hypothesentests und logistischen Regressionsmodellen. Die Betriebe wurden anschließend miteinander verglichen anhand der Parameter Fußballenscore, Einstreufeuchtigkeit, Mortalität sowie Gewichtsdifferenz zwischen Ist- und Sollwert. Ergebnisse: Die Aufzuchtställe waren am häufigsten mit Holzspänen eingestreut, aber auch Stroh, Strohpellets, Lignocellulose, Dinkelspelzen und Maisspindelgranulat wurden verwendet. Die Einstreufeuchtigkeit betrug im Stall 11 % vor Einstallung, 29 % zum U1 und 40 % zum U2. Unterschiede in der Einstreufeuchtigkeit zeigten sich in Abhängigkeit von der Lokalisation (am höchsten im Tränkebereich), dem Aufzuchtsystem, der Art der Einstreu und dem Tränkesystem (am höchsten um Rundtränken). Zum U1 hatten nach dem Bewertungssystem 27,3 % der Küken Veränderungen am rechten Fußballen. Die Veränderungen bestanden vor allem aus Hyperkeratosen, lediglich 0,1 % der Tiere hatte Epithelnekrosen. An den Fußballen wurden zusätzlich Rötungen und oberflächliche Hautrisse festgestellt, die nicht Teil des Bewertungssystems waren. Mehr Tiere waren von Veränderungen betroffen, wenn, statt des rechten, der stärker geschädigte Fußballen in die Beurteilung einbezogen wurde. Die Zahl betroffener Tiere stieg unter Berücksichtigung von allen Veränderungen an beiden Fußballen auf 48,9 %. Zum U2 hatten gemäß Bewertungsschema 63,3 % der Jungputen Veränderungen am rechten Fußballen. Hyperkeratosen unterschiedlichen Schweregrads zum Teil mit nicht ohne Substanzverlust lösbaren Schmutzanhaftungen prägten das Bild hauptsächlich, aber 12,1 % der Tiere hatten Epithelnekrosen und 0,2 % der Tiere wiesen eine Ballenläsion auf. Unter Berücksichtigung aller Schäden und beider Fußballen stieg die Zahl betroffener Tiere auf 77,0 %. Die Mortalität betrug 0,5 % zum U1 und 2,1 % zum U2. Die Körpergewichte blieben 6 % zum U1 und 9 % zum U2 unterhalb der vom Zuchtunternehmen empfohlenen Werte für das jeweilige Alter. Zum U1 wurden die Küken in klassischen Kükenringen, in „Großringen“ sowie in ringfreier Aufzucht gehalten mit durchschnittlichen Besatzdichten von 27, 16 und 10 Küken/m². Nach Auflösung der Ringe lag zum U2 die Besatzdichte durchschnittlich bei 9 Jungputen/m². Die statistische Analyse ergab, dass eine feuchtere Einstreu sich negativ auf die Fußballengesundheit auswirkt. Der Zustand der Fußballen zum U2 war auf Strohpellets besser als auf Holzspänen und Stroh. Ein Anstieg des Alters der Tiere, des Körpergewichts und der Verweildauer auf der Einstreu wirkte sich ebenfalls negativ auf die Fußballengesundheit aus. Diese drei Parameter ließen sich statistisch nicht voneinander trennen. Zum U1 führte eine höhere Besatzdichte auf Holzspänen signifikant zu einer feuchteren Einstreu, für die anderen Einstreuarten war die Stichprobe zu klein. Schlussfolgerungen: „Großringe“ erwiesen sich in Kombination mit weiteren Haltungsbedingungen als vorteilhaft für die Tiergesundheit. In Bezug auf die Flächenbelegung können zu Beginn und am Ende der Aufzuchtphase Besatzdichten wie in der Endmast erreicht werden. Das in der Praxis angewendete Einstreumanagement verhindert weder das Ansteigen der Einstreufeuchtigkeit noch eine Zunahme an Fußballenentzündungen während der Aufzuchtphase. Die Betriebe unterscheiden sich in der Fußballengesundheit während der Aufzuchtphase. Eine von 46 Herden ist kurz vor Umstallung frei von Fußballenveränderungen. Aus den vorliegenden Ergebnissen lassen sich drei Tierschutzindikatoren mit Grenzwerten für ein 3-stufiges Ampelsystem ableiten. Für die Mortalität werden Grenzwerte für Stufe 1 von 1,5 und für Stufe 2 von 2,5 % empfohlen. Der Fußballenscore wird auf 0,5 und 1,0 bei maximaler Kategorie von I des Bewertungssystems begrenzt. Die Einstreuqualität ist in Stufe 1 trocken und locker oder in Stufe 2 trocken und locker mit feuchtem nicht mit Kot verklebtem Tränkebereich, wobei trocken mit einer Einstreufeuchtigkeit von unter 30 % definiert wird. Weiterer Forschungsbedarf besteht für Tierschutzindikatoren, die Wohlbefinden und Angst charakterisieren; und im Einfluss der Besatzdichte auf die Tiergesundheit und das Verhalten.:1. Einleitung 2. Literaturübersicht 2.1 Aufzucht 2.2 Tränke 2.3 Einstreu 2.3.1 Einstreumaterial 2.3.2 Feuchtigkeitsursachen 2.3.3 Einstreumanagement 2.3.4 Krankheitsursache Einstreu 2.4 Fußballenentzündung 2.4.1 Klinik und Pathologie 2.4.2 Epidemiologie 2.4.3 Beurteilung der Fußballen 2.5 Tierschutzindikatoren 3. Tiere, Material und Methoden 3.1 Bestände und Untersuchungszeitraum 3.2 Datenerhebung 3.3 Besatzdichte 3.4 Untersuchung der Einstreu 3.4.1 Probennahme und -vorbereitung 3.4.2 Bestimmen der Einstreufeuchtigkeit 3.5 Beurteilung der Fußballen 3.6 Statistik 3.6.1 Fallzahlplanung 3.6.2 Deskriptive Statistik und Hypothesentests 3.6.3 Modelle 3.6.4 Vergleiche 4. Ergebnisse 4.1 Erhebung konstanter Daten 4.1.1 Betriebsdaten 4.1.2 Personal 4.1.3 Stallart und -einrichtung 4.1.4 Fütterungstechnik 4.1.5 Tränketechnik 4.2 Erhebung variabler Daten 4.2.1 Ablauf der Aufzuchtphase 4.2.2 Mortalität 4.2.3 Besatzdichte 4.2.4 Einstreubeschaffenheit 4.3 Einstreu 4.3.1 Feuchtigkeit 4.3.2 Management 4.4 Klinische Untersuchung 4.4.1 Ernährungs- und Entwicklungszustand 4.4.2 Kot 4.4.3 Fußballen 4.5 Weiterführende Statistik 4.5.1 Beginn von Fußballenveränderungen 4.5.2 Modelle 4.5.3 Betriebsvergleiche 4.5.3.1 Mortalität 4.5.3.2 Körpermassedifferenz 4.5.3.3 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 4.5.3.4 Fußballengesundheit 5. Diskussion 5.1 Methodenkritik 5.2 Einzelne Aspekte zu den Haltungsbedingungen 5.3 Mortalität 5.4 Besatzdichte 5.5 Einstreu 5.6 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7 Fußballenveränderungen 5.7.1 Beurteilung der Fußballen 5.7.2 Fußballenergebnisse 5.7.3 Ursachen 5.7.3.1 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.3.2 Körpermasse 5.7.3.3 Geschlecht 5.7.3.4 Alter 5.7.3.5 Verweildauer 5.7.3.6 Art der Einstreu 5.7.3.7 Einstreumanagement 5.7.4 Grenzwert für die Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.5 Vergleich von Aufzuchtphase und Beginn der Mastphase 5.8 Vergleichsparameter 5.9 Beurteilung von Betrieben 5.10 Indikatoren für die Aufzuchtphase 5.11 Schlussfolgerungen 5.12 Empfehlungen und Forschungsbedarf 6. Zusammenfassung 7. Summary 8. Literaturverzeichnis 9. Anhang 9.1 Rohdaten und ergänzende Übersichten 9.2 Fragebögen 9.3 Fotos 10. Danksagung / Introduction: The starting point for the examinations are project results from the fattening phase, according to which at the age of 6 weeks footpads with epithelial necrosis are common in 45% of fattening turkeys kept in Germany. The present study is part of a follow-up project for the rearing period and deduces animal welfare indicators for the first weeks from the results obtained. Aim of this study: The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of footpad dermatitis in the rearing period of B.U.T. 6 fattening turkeys and the measurement of litter moisture in this period. Animals, material and methods: At total number of 46 flocks from 24 farms nationwide were part of the follow-up project. From each flock, 60 individual animals were examined clinically at examination time point 1 (U1) during the first week, and at examination time point 2 (U2) during week 4 and 5. A total of 5,531 fattening turkeys were recorded, including 3,131 gobblers and 2,400 turkey hens. The footpads were assessed with the aid of a 5-stage evaluation scheme. Parallel to the clinical examination, litter samples were taken from the drinking, feeding, and resting areas as well as comparison samples before birds entered the barn, a total of 625 litter samples. The moisture was determined by a thermogravimetric method. The livestock owners were surveyed on the husbandry conditions, the barn management, and the origin of the flock, using standardized questionnaires. The biometric evaluation was carried out using exploratory data analysis, hypothesis tests and logistic regression models. The farms were then compared with each other by means of the parameter of scoring of footpads, litter moisture, as well as mortality and weight difference between actual value and setpoint. Results: The most commonly used litter found in the rearing barns were wood shavings, but also straw, straw pellets, lignocelluloses, spelt husks, and corncob granules utilized. The litter moisture was 11% before birds entered the barn, 29% at U1, and 40% at U2. Differences in the litter moisture were found depending on the location (highest in the drinking area), the rearing system, the type of litter, as well as the watering system (highest near round drinkers). Using the evaluation scheme, at U1 27.3% of the poults had changes to the right footpad. The changes consisted mainly of hyperkeratosis, only 0.1% of the animals had epithelial necrosis. Outside of the scheme, redness and superficial skin cracks were found on the footpads. In addition, more animals were affected by changes when, instead of the right one, the more severely damaged footpad was included in the assessment. Taking into account all changes in both footpads, the number of affected animals increased to 48.9%. According to the evaluation scheme, 63.3% of the young turkeys had changes on the right footpad at U2. Hyperkeratosis of different severity degrees partially with dirt adhesions not removable without loss of substance, mainly characterized the picture, but 12.1% of the animals had epithelial necrosis and 0.2% of the animals had deep lesions. Taking into account all the damages and both footpads, the number of affected animals increased to 77.0%. The mortality was 0.5% at U1 and 2.1% at U2. The body weights remained at 6% (U1) and 9% (U2) below the recommended values for the respective age. At U1 the poults were kept in classical poult rings, “large poult rings”, and ringless rearing with average stocking densities of 27, 16 and 10 poults/m². After dismantling at U2 the stocking density averaged 9 young turkeys/m². The statistical analysis showed that a moister litter has a negative impact on the footpad health. In addition, the condition of the footpads during U2 on straw pellets was better than on wood shavings and straw. An increase in the age of the animals, the body weight and the length of stay on the litter also had a negative effect on the footpads. These three parameters cannot be separated statistically. During U1 a higher stocking density on wood shavings resulted in a moister litter significantly. For the other litter types the sample was too small to draw a comparison. Conclusions: “Large poult rings” proved to be beneficial for animal health in combination with other housing conditions. At the beginning and end of the rearing period, finishing period resembling stocking densities can be achieved in relation to the area occupation. stocking densities can be achieved in the same way as in the finishing period in relation to the area occupation. The litter management used in practice prevents neither the increase in litter moisture nor an increase in footpad dermatitis during the rearing period. Farms differ in footpad health during the rearing period. One out of 46 flocks is free of footpad changes at the end of the rearing period. From the present results three animal welfare indicators with limits for a 3-level traffic light system can be derived. For mortality, limits for stage 1 of 1.5% and stage 2 of 2.5% are recommended. The footpad score is limited respectively 0.5 and 1.0 at the maximum category of I of the evaluation scheme. The litter is dry and loose (stage 1) or dry and loose with a moist, non faeces clotted drinking area (stage 2), whereby dry is defined as a litter moisture of less than 30%. Further research is needed for animal welfare indicators that characterize well-being and fear, and in the influence of stocking density on animal health and behavior.:1. Einleitung 2. Literaturübersicht 2.1 Aufzucht 2.2 Tränke 2.3 Einstreu 2.3.1 Einstreumaterial 2.3.2 Feuchtigkeitsursachen 2.3.3 Einstreumanagement 2.3.4 Krankheitsursache Einstreu 2.4 Fußballenentzündung 2.4.1 Klinik und Pathologie 2.4.2 Epidemiologie 2.4.3 Beurteilung der Fußballen 2.5 Tierschutzindikatoren 3. Tiere, Material und Methoden 3.1 Bestände und Untersuchungszeitraum 3.2 Datenerhebung 3.3 Besatzdichte 3.4 Untersuchung der Einstreu 3.4.1 Probennahme und -vorbereitung 3.4.2 Bestimmen der Einstreufeuchtigkeit 3.5 Beurteilung der Fußballen 3.6 Statistik 3.6.1 Fallzahlplanung 3.6.2 Deskriptive Statistik und Hypothesentests 3.6.3 Modelle 3.6.4 Vergleiche 4. Ergebnisse 4.1 Erhebung konstanter Daten 4.1.1 Betriebsdaten 4.1.2 Personal 4.1.3 Stallart und -einrichtung 4.1.4 Fütterungstechnik 4.1.5 Tränketechnik 4.2 Erhebung variabler Daten 4.2.1 Ablauf der Aufzuchtphase 4.2.2 Mortalität 4.2.3 Besatzdichte 4.2.4 Einstreubeschaffenheit 4.3 Einstreu 4.3.1 Feuchtigkeit 4.3.2 Management 4.4 Klinische Untersuchung 4.4.1 Ernährungs- und Entwicklungszustand 4.4.2 Kot 4.4.3 Fußballen 4.5 Weiterführende Statistik 4.5.1 Beginn von Fußballenveränderungen 4.5.2 Modelle 4.5.3 Betriebsvergleiche 4.5.3.1 Mortalität 4.5.3.2 Körpermassedifferenz 4.5.3.3 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 4.5.3.4 Fußballengesundheit 5. Diskussion 5.1 Methodenkritik 5.2 Einzelne Aspekte zu den Haltungsbedingungen 5.3 Mortalität 5.4 Besatzdichte 5.5 Einstreu 5.6 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7 Fußballenveränderungen 5.7.1 Beurteilung der Fußballen 5.7.2 Fußballenergebnisse 5.7.3 Ursachen 5.7.3.1 Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.3.2 Körpermasse 5.7.3.3 Geschlecht 5.7.3.4 Alter 5.7.3.5 Verweildauer 5.7.3.6 Art der Einstreu 5.7.3.7 Einstreumanagement 5.7.4 Grenzwert für die Einstreufeuchtigkeit 5.7.5 Vergleich von Aufzuchtphase und Beginn der Mastphase 5.8 Vergleichsparameter 5.9 Beurteilung von Betrieben 5.10 Indikatoren für die Aufzuchtphase 5.11 Schlussfolgerungen 5.12 Empfehlungen und Forschungsbedarf 6. Zusammenfassung 7. Summary 8. Literaturverzeichnis 9. Anhang 9.1 Rohdaten und ergänzende Übersichten 9.2 Fragebögen 9.3 Fotos 10. Danksagung