Age-related effects of catching, crating, and transportation at different seasons on core body temperature and physiological blood parameters in broilers

Yalcin S., ÖZKAN S., Oktay G., Cabuk M., Erbayraktar Z., Bilgili S.

JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH, vol.13, no.4, pp.549-560, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 13 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1093/japr/13.4.549
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF APPLIED POULTRY RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.549-560
  • Keywords: broiler, preslaughter stress, physiological parameter, PLASMA-CORTICOSTERONE CONCENTRATIONS, LYMPHOCYTE RATIO, BREEDER FEMALES, MEAT QUALITY, AD-LIBITUM, CHICKENS, STRESS, METABOLITES, HETEROPHIL, WELFARE
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the physiological effects of 3 preslaughter treatments (catching, crating, and transportation) on male and female broiler chickens slaughtered at 35, 42, 49, and 56 d of age. At each age, 18 birds (3 birds per sex and pen; 3 replicate pens) were sampled after catching, crating, and transportation for 1 h for core body (rectal) temperature (Rt), blood pH, gases (partial Co-2 and O-2 pressures), ions (Na+, K+, Ca++, HCO3-), hemoglobin, plasma glucose, albumin, uric acid, creatine kinase (CK) activity, and white blood cell differential counts. The experiment was repeated under fall and summer environmental conditions.