Transport-induced Changes in Selected Biochemical Indices in Broilers as Affected by Ambient Temperatures

Abstract

The effects of transportation to the slaughterhouse (catching, crating, loading, transport) at various ambient temperatures on selected biochemical indices were monitored in a group of unsexed ROSS 308 broiler chickens aged 42 days. The broilers were sampled at three different sampling times (prior to loading, after loading, and after 70 km transport) at three different ambient temperatures (-5 to +5 °C, 10 to 20 °C, 25 to 35 °C). Corticosterone contents in broilers after loading and after transport were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than before loading. The highest corticosterone concentration was found in broilers that were handled (loaded and transported) at lower temperatures (-5 °C to +5 °C) and this value was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than in broilers handled under both other monitored temperature ranges. The results of this study prove that the stress-inducing procedure to which commercial broilers are exposed in connection with transport to the slaughterhouse induces strong changes in selected biochemical indices, and that these changes are highest in winter months at a lower ambient temperature.

Physiological Responses and Blood Profile of Broiler Chicken Supplemented with Red Dragon Fruit Peel (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Subjected to Transportation Stress

“…The average rectal temperature in broilers ranged from 40. 27 High temperature (34-33 C) with relative humidity of 64-60% induced evaporative heat loss. Active evaporative heat loss or panting seemed effective to balance heat production and heat loss during daylight transportation when relative humidity was not too high.…”

“…Supplementation of red dragon fruit peel prior transportation did not affect mortality rate (P>0.05%). Vošmerová et al [27] mentioned that the transportation process could affect the death factor caused by temperature. The birds cope with high environmental temperature by increasing heat loss through heavy panting.…”

A note on the effect of pre-slaughter transport duration on nutrient composition and fatty acid profile of broiler breast meat

“…The longer transport may have caused dehydration of the birds, being no able to restore from water lost due to the normal physiological activity. Previous studies suggested that longer transportation results in higher plasma corticosterone concentration (zhang et al, 2009;Vošmerová et al, 2010). King (1997) reported that stress created by adrenocorticotropic hormone treatment increased lipid and decreased moisture content.…”