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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #171458
Title: EVALUATION OF STOCKING DENSITY ON PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTIVE RESPONSES OF BROILERS

Author
item THAXTON, J - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item Dozier Iii, William
item Branton, Scott
item MORGAN, G - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV.
item Miles, Dana
item Roush, William
item LOTT, B - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV.
item VIZZIER-THAXTON, Y - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2004
Publication Date: 1/15/2005
Citation: Thaxton, J.P., Dozier III, W.A., Branton, S.L., Morgan, G.W., Miles, D.M., Roush, W.B., Lott, B.D., Vizzier-Thaxton, Y. 2005. Evaluation of stocking density on physiological adaptive responses of broilers. Southern Poultry Science Society Meeting. Abstract 70. p. 17.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Physiological adaptive responses are integral to well being when animals are subjected to environmental alterations. The purpose of this study was to assess major adaptive responses of broilers reared at different stocking densities. Three trials were conducted. In Trial 1, 2057 males broilers were reared for 35d at a density of 0.065M2/bird. These birds were reassigned to the pens at densities of 19.5, 24.4, 29.3, 34.2, 39.0, 43.9, 48.8, and 53.7 kg/m2 based upon a projected final BW of 3.27kg at 49d. At 35 and 49 d, 8 birds from each pen were selected at random and a plasma sample was collected. The following parameters were determined corticosterone (CS), glucose (GLU), cholesterol (CHOL), nitric oxide (NO), and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio. In Trials 2 and 3, 1,488 male broilers were randomized across 32 floor pens to simulate a density of 30, 35, 40, and 45 kg/m2 based on a projected final BW of 3.29 kg. Birds were bled at 49 d of age and the same parameters as in Trial 1 were determined. Stocking density did not affect adaptive responses of broilers in these three trials.