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Yu M, Oketch EO, Chathuranga NC, Nawarathne SR, Hong JS, Maniraguha V, Cruz BGS, Seo E, Lee J, Park H, Heo JM. Effect of crating density and weather conditions during transit on preslaughter losses, physiological characteristics, and meat quality in broilers. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2024; 66:1170-1181. [PMID: 39691611 PMCID: PMC11647400 DOI: 10.5187/jast.2023.e132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2024]
Abstract
The impact of crating density and prevailing weather conditions during transit on preslaughter losses, physiological characteristics, and meat quality in broilers was investigated. A total of 900 35-day-old Ross 308 male broilers with an average body weight of 1,860 ± 17.458 g (mean ± SEM) in summer and 1,864 ± 17.454 g in winter were allotted to one of six groups arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement according to the three different crating densities (low: 0.039 m2/bird; medium: 0.031 m2/bird; high: 0.026 m2/bird) and two different weather conditions (low: -1°C and high: 30°C). Birds stocked at medium density recorded lower (p < 0.05) body weight loss compared to the low density group; and demonstrated higher (p < 0.05) lactate levels along with lower (p < 0.05) respiration rates when compared to the high crating density group. Extreme conditions of low crating density under low air temperature and high crating density under high air temperature led to higher (p < 0.001) body weight loss and glucose concentration compared to low crating density under high air temperature. In conclusion, both excessively high and low crating densities are not conducive to reducing preslaughter losses and blood stress indicators. Broiler transportation under high crating density in low air temperatures and low crating density in high air temperatures is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myunghwan Yu
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Elijah Ogola Oketch
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | | | - Shan Randima Nawarathne
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Jun Seon Hong
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Venuste Maniraguha
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Bernadette G. Sta. Cruz
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Eunsoo Seo
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Jeseok Lee
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Haeeun Park
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Jung Min Heo
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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Chang Q, Li C, Zhao S, Wang H, Li J, Zhang R, Bao J. Research Note: Effects of environmental sound stimulus on behavioral responses, cortisol levels, and horizontal immunity of transferred pullets. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103689. [PMID: 38579543 PMCID: PMC11004998 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged exposure to varying levels of music or noise on the behavioral, physiological, and immune responses of pullets following their transfer to an egg-laying facility. A total of 240 one-day-old Hy-Line Brown pullets were randomly assigned to five groups: 0 dB sound stimulation, low-decibel music (65-75 dB), high-decibel music (85-95 dB), low-decibel noise (65-75 dB), and high-decibel noise (85-95 dB) stimuli. Pullets received music or noise stimuli 10 h per d from 1-day-old to 16-wk-old and were then transferred to the egg-laying facility. The results indicated that feeding and drinking behaviors significantly decreased (P < 0.05), whereas feather pecking, aggression, and preening behaviors significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the pullets after transfer. Pullets also had higher serum cortisol (COR) levels (P < 0.05), whereas immunoglobulin Y (IgY), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels significantly increased (P < 0.05). Low-decibel sound stimuli increased aggressive behavior and decreased pecking behavior (P < 0.05). High-decibel sound stimuli decreased feather pecking, cage pecking, aggression, and sham dustbathing behaviors (P < 0.05). In addition, a low-decibel sound stimulus decreased the serum COR content, and increased the serum IL-6 level in the transferred pullets. A high-decibel sound stimulus also induced shorter tonic immobility (TI) durations in pullets on d 7 after transport stress. Meanwhile, high-decibel sound stimulus decreased the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels of pullets. In conclusion, the transfer has detrimental effects on the pullets. Long-term sound stimulation effectively mitigated the negative impact of transportation stress on pullets. Among them, the high-decibel sound stimulus showed more promise in relieving transport stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Chang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Chun Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Haowen Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jianhong Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Runxiang Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, 150030, China.
| | - Jun Bao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Chicken Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin, 150030, China
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