EN
The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the manner of housing on the growth and mechanical strength of the femur and tibia in heavy (Big 6) and medium-heavy type (BUT 9) turkey-toms. The birds were raised from 7 to 22-weeks-of-age indoors - in a brooder house (traditional system) or under a shelter with access to open-air runs (alternative system). The housing system significantly affected the results of a strength test of femur and tibia. The femurs of turkeys that stayed under a shelter with access to outdoor runs were characterized by higher values of strain, capacity to absorb strength and work to the limit of elasticity and to the limit of maximum resistance. This housing system also had a positive effect regarding the weight of the femur and tibia (increased by 5.9%). Bone strain, capacity to absorb work to the limit of maximum resistance as well as the capacity to absorb strength to the limit of elasticity and to the limit of maximum resistance were affected by the type of turkeys. The weight of the tested bones was higher (by 6.7%) in Big 6 toms. The manner of housing (shelter with access to open-air runs) significantly influenced tibia strain and the capacity to absorb work to the limit of maximum resistance. The change in the housing system was reflected in the values of Young’s modulus and bone weight. Significant differences were also found among the types of turkeys in the capacity to absorb strength to the limit of elasticity and to the limit of maximum resistance as well as in bone weight. The results of femur and tibia strength testing indicate that it is recommended to raise slaughter turkey-toms under a shelter with access to outdoor runs starting from 7-weeks-of-age.