Early age thermal manipulation on the performance and physiological response of broiler chickens under hot humid tropical climate

Publication date: Available online 9 January 2020Source: Journal of Thermal BiologyAuthor(s): O.E. Oke, E.T. Alo, F.O. Oke, Y.A. Oyebamiji, M.A. Ijaiya, M.A. Odefemi, R.Y. Kazeem, A.A. Soyode, O.M. Aruwajoye, R.T. Ojo, S.M. Adeosun, O.M. OnagbesanAbstractInitial brooding temperature is critical for post-hatch growth of broiler chickens. A study was conducted to investigate the early age thermal manipulation (EATM) on the performance and physiological responses broiler chickens under hot humid tropical climate. A total of 260 unsexed day-old Arbor-acre broiler chicks were assigned to five thermal treatments of brooding temperature regimens having 4 replicates of thirteen birds each. The heat treatments were: initial brooding temperature of 35 °C for the first 2 days, and then decreased subsequently, gradually to 22 °C at 21 d of age (CT), initial temperature of 35 °C, sustained for the first 4 days and then decreased gradually (conventionally) (FD), initial temperature of 35 °C for the first 7 days (SD), the birds in CT, but the brooding temperature was raised to 35 °C again for another 3 days from day 7 (SD3), initial brooding temperature of 35 °C for the first 10 days (TD). Data were collected on daily feed intake and weekly body weights. Blood samples were collected from 8 birds per treatment weekly for the determination of plasma uric acid, triglycerides, triiodothyronine (T3) and creatinine kinase. Data obtained were laid out in a Completely Randomized...

Source: Journal of Thermal Biology - January 10, 2020 Category: Biology Source Type: research