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Stocking density and stress induction affect production and stress parameters in broiler chickens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

A Villagrá ,
JL Ruiz de la Torre ,
G Chacón ,
M Lainez ,
A Torres  and
X Manteca
A Villagrá*
Affiliation:
Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Polígono La Esperanza n 100, 12400, Segorbe, Castellón, Spain
JL Ruiz de la Torre
Affiliation:
Unidad de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain
G Chacón
Affiliation:
Dpto. Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet n 177, 50013, Zaragoza, Spain
M Lainez
Affiliation:
Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal, Polígono La Esperanza n 100, 12400, Segorbe, Castellón, Spain
A Torres
Affiliation:
Instituto de Ciencia Animal, ETSI Agrónomos, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV), Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
X Manteca
Affiliation:
Unidad de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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The objective of this paper is to analyse the effects of three different stocking densities on the production, stress and fear parameters of female broilers during a 46-day production period. Chickens were randomly distributed among nine floor pens in groups of 30 broilers with different space allowances for each treatment; namely eight, 20 and 30 chicks m−2. Chicken growth rate was monitored from day eleven to 46 and indicators of stress, including haematocrit, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and concentrations of plasma corticosterone, as well as tonic immobility, were measured on days 22 and 46. On day 46, the incidence of foot and skin lesions was assessed, and stress was induced to analyse the response of broilers to each stocking density. High stocking densities cause acute stress in broilers; the effects of low and intermediate stocking densities, however, are not so evident, particularly in relation to tonic immobility and response to acute stress.

Keywords

animal welfarebroilerfearhealth statusstocking densitystress induction
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , May 2009 , pp. 189 - 197
Copyright
© 2009 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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