Transportation stress: Impact on behaviour and welfare in meat-type chickens under indian scenario

In order to find standard transport time and its effect on the welfare, 480 marketable commercial broiler chickens (CARIBRO VISHAL; avg. 2.0 kg body weight) were transported for 2, 4, 8h and without transport in crates in three replicates in a completely randomized design. Transport affected welfare as well as behaviour of broiler chickens. Transport stretch impacted the gait score and tonic immobility with maximum aggravation with extended duration. Runaway results shown that 8h group exhibited more run-away time (279.20sec). Number of birds affected by physical injuries increases with the duration. Bodyweight change was significant among transported groups, especially 8h travelled group exhibited more (-8.21%) body weight loss. It is concluded that a transport period of more than 4h in Indian conditions is not recommended as its causing a significant level of stress in the birds leading to stress, production loss and hampering welfare of broilers.

Seasonal variations on semen quality attributes in turkey and egg type chicken male breeders

A biological experiment was carried out in twenty-four adult healthy breeder males each in turkey (Beltsville small white) and egg type chicken (White Leghorn Babcock) in order to assess the seasonal influence on semen production and quality. The birds were maintained in individual cages under uniform husbandry conditions throughout the year. The birds were fed with breeder ration and water ad libitum was offered with a constant photoperiod of 14 h/day. Physical and biochemical characteristics of semen, serum hormones (testosterone and thyroxine), and antioxidant activity (catalase and lipid peroxidation) were evaluated throughout the year (January-December). Based on the THI calculations, the observations were classified under three different seasons, namely, winter (November-February), spring (March, April, and October), and summer (May-September). Semen physical parameters, sperm concentration, motility, live sperm percentage, and sperm plasma membrane integrity were superior during the winter season. In seminal plasma, biochemical parameters (phosphorus, ALT, ALP, AST, and uric acid) had a significant (P < 0.05) difference between seasons. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) among serum hormones (testosterone and thyroxine) that were higher during the winter season. Significant variation was observed in catalase and lipid peroxidation antioxidant enzyme activities (seminal and blood plasma) in winter than in the other two seasons. Both the turkey and egg type chicken breeders exhibited superior seminal characteristics, sex hormone profile, and antioxidant enzyme activity during winter seasons.

Effect of Supplementation of Zinc-Methionine on Egg Production, Semen Quality, Reproductive Hormones, and Hatchability in Broiler Breeders

A biological study was conducted to explore the effect of zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) supplementation on productive, reproductive, and immunological response in broiler breeders. Adult healthy 45-week breeder males (192) and females (288) were used in a completely randomized design. Birds were randomly divided into four treatments consisting of six replicates and fed basal diet (control, 40 mg/kg), basal diet supplemented with Zn-Met 20 (T1), 40 (T2), and 60 mg/kg (T3). There was no effect (P > 0.05) on body weight and feed consumption among the breeders due to the supplementation of organic Zn. The T3 group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher semen volume, sperm motility, concentration, and live sperm count. The seminal plasma calcium and alkaline phosphatase activity were higher (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol and aspartate transaminase levels were low in the T3 group. Birds fed with additional supplementation of Zn (60 mg/kg) had improved both cellular and humoral immunity. Throughout the experimental period, the hen day egg production was comparable (P > 0.05) among the experimental groups. Organic Zn-supplemented group showed significant difference in both the internal and external egg qualities-albumen, yolk index, and shell thickness. The higher dose of organic Zn-fed groups had a significant difference in estrogen and progesterone concentration, and the highest testosterone concentration was observed in the T2 group. Supplementary organic Zn had a significant effect on the concentration of Zn and Cu in the seminal plasma. Serum Zn and Cu concentration was significantly increased due to the supplementation of organic zinc in both male and female breeders. The fertility and hatchability percentage were higher (P < 0.05) in the T2 group. It could be concluded that the additional supplementation of organic Zn (zinc-methionine) at 40 mg/kg to the basal diet improved the reproductive performance in broiler breeders.

In ovo Administration of Nucleosides Improved the Performance, Apparent Metabolizable Energy and Gut Development in Broiler Chickens

An in ovo study on the effect of the administration of a combination of nucleosides (25, 50, and 100 mg/egg) on hatchability, growth performance, energy metabolizability, and intestinal morphology in broilers was carried out. Four hundred eighty (480) fertile eggs were divided into four groups (in four replicates each having 30 eggs). On the 18th days of incubation of the eggs, candling was carried out and the fertile eggs were selected and given one of the four in ovo administrations. Group one served as control and was injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The other groups were given in ovo administration of nucleosides (25, 50, and 100 mg/egg) at 100 μl through the yolk sac route, and chicks of respective groups were hatched out. Among the experimental groups, the hatchability was comparable; however, the hatchability was affected in the group injected with a higher level of nucleosides at 100 mg/egg. The hatched out chicks from higher doses of nucleosides (50 and 100 mg) had higher body weight (BW) (P < 0.05) than the control. Higher energy metabolizability (%) was observed in nucleoside-injected groups. Plasma protein concentration was higher in groups administered with nucleosides (50 and 100 mg). Histologically, the intestinal villi length was maximum in 100 mg-injected group followed by 50 and 25 mg. Relative expression of homeobox (Cdx) in the jejunum was significantly (P < 0.05) upregulated in all the injected groups at 3, 7, and 14 days of age. Nucleoside-administered groups had better performance, energy metabolizability, and intestinal morphology. Among the experimental groups, the administration of nucleosides at 50 mg/egg resulted in higher growth performance, plasma protein, intestinal surface, and villi development in broiler chickens.