Effect of stocking density on behavioral pattern, growth performance, blood hormones, and carcass parameter of Sasso broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of stocking density on behavioral patterns, growth performance, blood hormones, and carcass quality of Sasso broilers within 60 days of rearing cycle. A total number of 150 one day old unsexed Sasso (first generation) chicks were allocated randomly according to their stocking density to 3 groups 10,13 and 15 birds per m 2 in different floor spaces5, 3.8, and 3.3 m 2 respectively. Growth performance and behavioral patterns were estimated throughout the study period. Blood samples for cortisol and thyroid hormones estimation were collected every two weeks. At the end of the study 3 birds from each group were slaughtered to check the effect of stocking density on carcass parameters. The results of the current study revealed that stocking density affect significantly (P = 0.05) on final body weight, feed consumption, and organs weight, but had no significant effect on feed conversion rate (FCR). There was no significant effect of stocking density on blood cortisol or thyroid hormones concentrations. It was concluded that rearing Sasso broiler at stocking density 10 birds /m 2 has the best effect as it did not affect negatively either on growth performance, blood parameters, or behaviors.