Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens under Acute Stress Due to Shackling

Abstract

BedáÀová I., E. Vosláfiová, V. Veãerek, V. Pi‰tûková, P. Chloupek: Haematological Profile of Broiler Chickens under Acute Stress Due to Shackling. Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: 129-135.The aim of our experiment was to assess the stress response of broilers to different periods of shackling when conditions similar to practice at slaughterhouses were simulated. In this study, heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratios were used as an index of stress status. Also total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, haematocrit, haemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were monitored and differential leukocyte count was assessed. At 42 days of age, 10 broilers were subjected to a 2-min shackling period (S2 group) and other 10 broilers were subjected to a 5-min shackling period (S5 group). Broilers were suspended from shackles placed in an experimental processing line and other stress factors (e.g. preslaughter transport, crating and ambient disturbances) were eliminated in order to assess the stress response to shackling particularly. When compared with an unshackled control, both S2 and S5 groups exhibited a highly significant increase in heterophil counts and H/L ratio 20 h following shackling. When compared, the mean value of the H/L ratio of S2 and S5 chickens was higher due to the longer shackling period. The difference, however, was not statistically significant. In addition, S5 broilers exhibited a statistically significant elevation in the number of basophils in comparison with the control. When compared with the control, S2 broilers exhibited a significant decrease in haemoglobin level, a highly significant decrease in erythrocyte cell count and MCHC values due to shackling. Both S2 and S5 groups of broilers manifested a highly significant increase in MCV values and markedly depressed erythrocyte count and MCHC values in comparison with unshackled broilers. When S2 and S5 broilers were compared, none of the monitored haematological indices of the erythrocyte count manifested any significant changes due to the different periods of shackling. Results of our experiment proved that the preslaughter shackling induced considerable changes in haematological indices of both leukocyte and erythrocyte count in broilers and indicated a markedly increased level of stress effects. In conclusion, using a method that eliminates the stress associated with the shackling of live birds before electrical stunning should be considered as a better option as far as bird welfare is concerned.

Comparing Chick and Grower Stages of Nine Breeds of Gallus gallus domesticus, Linnaeus, 1758 for RBC and WBC Parameters

“…in case of Hb%, TEC, PCV, MCV, MCH, monocyte, eosinophil and basophil content of DLC. AS, NN and RC chicks and KN and WL chicks have similar MCH values with that of 44-day old broiler chicken reported byNowaczewski and Kontecka (2012) and 42-day old control group broilers(Bedáňová et al 2007) respectively. AS, BR, KN, NN, RC, RIR and WL chicks have similar Hb%, PCV, MCHC, lymphocyte, heterophil and basophil percentage (DLC) with that of one day old control group broiler chicks mentioned byAyuk and Essien (2009).…”

“…Normally, H/L ratio should be 0.4-0.5 but under stress it goes up. Also, the heterophil count is more than lymphocyte count (Bedáňová et al 2007), except the above-mentioned birds. These conditions occur when the birds are under some kind of stress or suffering from any physiological or pathological conditions.…”

Leucocyte Profiles and Family Size in Fledgling Greylag Geese (Anser Anser)

“…There are conflicting results regarding the question whether or not basophil numbers are modulated by stress and it is suggested that modulation of basophils depends on the type of stressor. Studies on food restriction and heat stress revealed a significant increase in basophils (Maxwell, 1993;Altan et al, 2003), whereas other studies report no effect of stressors, such as handling (Newman et al, 2005;Bedáàová et al, 2007). Our results suggest that social factors might modulate basophil numbers in fledgling Greylag Geese.…”

Mortality Rates in Poultry Species and Categories during Transport for Slaughter

“…Factors that affect mortality include the method of catching (Knierim and Gocke 2003;Nijdam et al 2005), handling (Knowles and Broom 1990;Kettlewell and Mitchell 1994), thermal stress (MacCaluim et al 2003), density, live weight, breed, time spent in transport, and lairage time at the processing plant (Warriss et al 1992;Mitchell and Kettlewell 1998;Nijdam et al 2004;Bedáňová et al 2006Bedáňová et al , 2007Voslářová et al 2006a,b;Suchý et al 2007). Mitchell and Kettlewell (1994) emphasise that the potentially harmful effects of adverse conditions during the transport are not only of political and public concern due to their consequences for animal welfare, but are also of economic importance with respect to increased losses and diminished quality of meat.…”