The Effect of Stocking Density on Stress Reaction in Broiler Chickens during Summer

Authors : Mehmet Kenan TÜRKYILMAZ

Pages : 31-36

View : 15 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of stocking density on the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(H:L);, blood corticosterone concentration, immune response, and some performance parameters in broilers during summer. In all, 300 1-day-old commercial broiler chicks insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Ross 308); were housed at densities of 15, 20, and 25 birds/m2, with 2 replicates of each. H:L ratio and blood corticosterone concentration were used to measure the level of stress in the birds. Newcastle disease insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ND); antibody titers were also analyzed to determine the level of immune response with a commercial ELISA kit. Mean H:L ratio, corticosterone concentration, and Newcastle disease antibody titer insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(log10); on day 42 were 0.41, 0.43, and 0.45, 3.81, 4.13, and 4.39 ng/ml, 3.99, 4.10, and 3.88, respectively, for birds housed at 15, 20, and 25 birds/m2. Stocking density had no significant effect on H:L ratio, blood corticosterone concentration, immune response, and some performance parameters in broiler chickens. Consequently, high yield per unit area could be achieved with different stocking densities insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(15, 20, and 25 birds/m2); in broiler production during summer.
Keywords : Broiler chicken, corticosterone, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio H L, immune response, stress