Medycyna Wet. 62 (4), 408-410, 2006
Pijarska I., Czech A., Malec H., Tymczyna L.
Effect of road transportation of chicks on blood biochemical indices and productive results of broilers
The studies were designed to determine the influence of 18 hour road transportation of chicks on the productive results and blood indices. The experiment covered 380 chicks designated to two following groups: (K) control and treatment (D). The control group (K) was placed in the rearing room immediately after hatching, whereas the birds from the treatment group were transported for 18 h (820 km) in a special vehicle. The transportation proceeded at a temperature of 25°C ± 0.5°C with an air change rate about 35-40 dm-3/h/chick.The chickens from both groups were provided with the same rearing conditions, they were fed ad libitum. The birds were supplied with starter mixture (crumble) up to 10 days of age, from 11 to 35 days with grower mixture (granulate) and from 35 days on with finisher mixture (granulate). The broiler raising period lasted 45 days. Over that period, in both groups bird body weight was recorded (due to the methodology 23 birds from each group were weighed every time) on 1, 21 and 45 days of age. Immediately after hatching (day zero) 100 chicks were chosen randomly and their initial body weight was recorded. Out of this group 10 birds were selected, slaughtered and examined post mortem, and the liver and heart weight were measured. The measurements were also made on 21st and 45th rearing day. On the 45th experimental day the weight of pectoral and thigh muscles of chickens was also fixed. At the same time blood was collected for biochemical examinations from 10 birds from each group. Glucose content, total cholesterol and total protein as well as AP, AST and ALT activity were determined in the blood plasma. Transportation lasting 18 h contributed to a slight decrease of body weight and, in turn, the lower daily gains of chicks. The birds also exhibited some lower glucose content and weaker AST activity in their blood plasma. The chick road transportation did not significantly affect the weight of the heart, liver, pectoral and thigh muscles, nor the total protein and total cholesterol content as well as AP and ALT activity in bird blood plasma.
Keywords: chicken, transport, productive result