The effects of Environmental Enrichment on Some Physiological and Behavioral Parameters of Broiler Chicks

This study aims to examine the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) practices on some physiological and behavioral parameters of broiler chicks. A total of 280 one-day old Ross 308 mixed-sex broiler chicks with an average initial body weight of 44.5±0.37 g were used in a 42-d trial. Broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 20 pens composed of 14 birds in 1x1.4m sized floor area. Each of the EE treatment consisted of 5 replicate pens (70 chickens per treatment). The treatments were 1) control; 2) perch for EE; 3) ball for EE; 4) mirror for EE; and 5) dust for EE. Final body weights, tonic immobility test results, and rectal temperatures were recorded. Spleen, liver, and bursa fabricius weights were measured. The blood biochemistry of birds was analyzed at the end of the experiment. Besides, gait score test was applied on the 42nd day of experiment. Body weight gain, lymphoid organ weights and rectal temperature values of broilers were not affected by EE treatments on the 21st and 42nd days of the study. At the end of the study, WBC values, tonic immobility values and gait scores of the control groups were found higher than those of the EE groups. HCT and PLT values of the ball groups were found lower than the other groups, concluding that EE improved the welfare of birds.(AU)

The effects of Environmental Enrichment on Some Physiological and Behavioral Parameters of Broiler Chicks

This study aims to examine the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) practices on some physiological and behavioral parameters of broiler chicks. A total of 280 one-day old Ross 308 mixed-sex broiler chicks with an average initial body weight of 44.5±0.37 g were used in a 42-d trial. Broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 20 pens composed of 14 birds in 1x1.4m sized floor area. Each of the EE treatment consisted of 5 replicate pens (70 chickens per treatment). The treatments were 1) control; 2) perch for EE; 3) ball for EE; 4) mirror for EE; and 5) dust for EE. Final body weights, tonic immobility test results, and rectal temperatures were recorded. Spleen, liver, and bursa fabricius weights were measured. The blood biochemistry of birds was analyzed at the end of the experiment. Besides, gait score test was applied on the 42nd day of experiment. Body weight gain, lymphoid organ weights and rectal temperature values of broilers were not affected by EE treatments on the 21st and 42nd days of the study. At the end of the study, WBC values, tonic immobility values and gait scores of the control groups were found higher than those of the EE groups. HCT and PLT values of the ball groups were found lower than the other groups, concluding that EE improved the welfare of birds.

Effect of Egg Weights on Hatching Results, Broiler Performance and Some Stress Parameters

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of hatching egg weight of broiler parent stocks on hatching results, chick performance, carcass characteristics, internal organ weights and some blood stress parameters. Eggs were divided into 3 egg weight groups (55.0 to 60.0 g (light), 60.1 to 65.0 g (medium) and 65.1 to 70.0 g (heavy)) for the experiments. After incubation, mixed-gender broiler chicks from the hatcher were placed into 27 grower pens (2x1 m) with 9 replications for 3 weight groups by using randomized block design. Each pen had 25 broiler chicks. Therefore, 225 chicks were used for each group and 675 chicks in total. The experiment was designed with nine replicates. Chi-square test, variance analysis test and Duncan multiple range test were used during statistical analysis. Hatching egg weight significantly affected egg shell thickness (p=0.042), egg weight loss on 18th day of incubation (p 0.001), number of healthy chick (p=0.001) and deformed chicks (p=0.003), hatchability (p=0.003), hatchability yield (p=0.002), hatching weight and 7 day chick body weight (p=0.001), fresh carcass yields (p=0.002), and cooled carcass yields (p 0.001), blood triglyceride level (p=0.031), back toe relative asymmetry (p=0.032) and back toe fluctuating asymmetry (p=0.038). It was concluded in the present study that medium-weight eggs yielded better hatching results and the chicks of medium-weight eggs also yielded better outcomes with regards to other investigated parameters.(AU)

Effect of Egg Weights on Hatching Results, Broiler Performance and Some Stress Parameters

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of hatching egg weight of broiler parent stocks on hatching results, chick performance, carcass characteristics, internal organ weights and some blood stress parameters. Eggs were divided into 3 egg weight groups (55.0 to 60.0 g (light), 60.1 to 65.0 g (medium) and 65.1 to 70.0 g (heavy)) for the experiments. After incubation, mixed-gender broiler chicks from the hatcher were placed into 27 grower pens (2x1 m) with 9 replications for 3 weight groups by using randomized block design. Each pen had 25 broiler chicks. Therefore, 225 chicks were used for each group and 675 chicks in total. The experiment was designed with nine replicates. Chi-square test, variance analysis test and Duncan multiple range test were used during statistical analysis. Hatching egg weight significantly affected egg shell thickness (p=0.042), egg weight loss on 18th day of incubation (p 0.001), number of healthy chick (p=0.001) and deformed chicks (p=0.003), hatchability (p=0.003), hatchability yield (p=0.002), hatching weight and 7 day chick body weight (p=0.001), fresh carcass yields (p=0.002), and cooled carcass yields (p 0.001), blood triglyceride level (p=0.031), back toe relative asymmetry (p=0.032) and back toe fluctuating asymmetry (p=0.038). It was concluded in the present study that medium-weight eggs yielded better hatching results and the chicks of medium-weight eggs also yielded better outcomes with regards to other investigated parameters.

DURAÇÃO DA ECLOSÃO E PREFERÊNCIA TÉRMICA INFLUENCUIAM NO DESEMPENHO E COMPORTAMENTO DE FRANGOS DE CORTE

Este trabalho encontra-se estruturado em dois Capítulos. O capítulo 1 consiste em revisão de literatura sobre o tema. No Capítulo 2 foi investigado se a duração da eclosão (período entre bicagem externa até a saída completa do pinto de dentro da casca do ovo (curto de 6 a10h e longo de 20 a 26h) associado à temperatura de criação (preferida e recomendada) altera o desempenho e comportamento de frangos de corte e em adicional foi investigado a variação comportamental ao longo do tempo. Para isso, 1.130 ovos férteis de matrizes de frangos de corte (Cobb®-500) com 56 semanas de idade, provenientes de incubatório comercial (Globo Aves, Itirapina-SP), foram distribuídos homogeneamente pelos pesos (65-70g) em 10 incubadoras horizontais (Premium Ecológica, IP120) (N=113 ovos/incubadora), com controle automático de temperatura e giro à cada 2 horas. Após a eclosão, 352 pintos machos foram distribuídos pelo peso corporal (~46g) em três câmaras climáticas, as aves foram mantidas em temperaturas diferentes. Os delineamentos experimental adotado foi um fatorial 2x2 sendo dois períodos de duração da eclosão ( curto e longo) e duas temperaturas de criação (preferida e recomendada) A temperatura preferida pela ave foi determinada em um estudo anterior por Matos Junior e temperatura de criação foi a usual recomendada para linhagens de frango de corte comercias. As variáveis de desempenho foram analisadas quanto aos efeitos da duração do período de eclosão (DPE: curto e longo) e temperatura de criação (TC: recomendada e preferida). As frequências e duraçãoes dos diferentes comportamentos foram analisados quanto aos efeitos da DPE, TC e idade (ID: 6, 20, 41). O tempo de imobilidade tônica também foi analisado quanto aos efeitos da DPE, TC e ID (7, 21 e 42 dias de idade). Todas as variáveis foram analisadas com base nas repetições (8 repetições por tratamento). Adicionalmente, foram comparadas as frequências dos diferentes comportamentos dentro de cada tratamento. Para todas as análises foi utilizado o SAS®, 2012, considerando p0,05. Quando necessário, as médias foram compradas pelo teste F ou teste de Tukey. A duração do período de eclosão entre bicagem externa e saída da casca e a criação na temperatura de preferência influenciam o desempenho e o comportamento dos frangos. Pintos com eclosão tardia (período longo de eclosão) são mais ativos na primeira semana de vida e apresentam pior desempenho na fase de crescimento quando criados na temperatura preferida. Independentemente da duração do período de eclosão e da temperatura de criação, os frangos diminuem acentuadamente a atividade com o ganho de peso, o que é caracterizado por aumento da frequência de repouso e tempo de imobilidade tônica.

This study is structured in two chapters. Chapter 1 consists of a review of the literature on the subject. In Chapter 2, it was investigated whether the duration of hatching (period between external piping until the complete exit of the chick from inside the eggshell (short from 6 to 10h and long from 20 to 26h) associated with the rearing temperature (preferred and recommended) the performance and behavior of broiler chickens was altered, and the behavioral variation over time was investigated. For this purpose, 1,130 56-week-old fertile broiler hatchery (Cobb®-500) from commercial hatchery (Globo Aves, Itirapina-SP), were distributed homogeneously by weights (65-70g) in 10 horizontal incubators (Premium Ecological, IP120) (N = 113 eggs / incubator), with automatic temperature (37,5ºC) control and rotation every 2 hours. After hatching, 352 male chicks (short and long) were distributed by body weight (~ 46g) in three climatic chambers, and reared in two temperatures (preferred and recommended). The temperature preferred by the bird was determined in a previous study by Matos Junior and rearing temperature was the usual recommended for commercial broilers strains. The performance variables were analyzed for the effects of the duration of the hatching period (DHP: short and long) and breeding temperature (RT: recommended and preferred). The frequencies and duration of the different behaviors were analyzed for the effects of DHP, T and age (6, 20, 41). The tonic immobility time was also analyzed for the effects of DHP, RT and age (7, 21 and 42 days of age). All variables were analyzed based on the replicates (8 replicates per treatment). In addition, we compared the frequencies of the different behaviors within each treatment. For all analyzes, SAS®,, considering p 0.05 was used. When necessary, the averages were purchased by the F test or Tukey test. The duration of the hatching period between external piping and the rearing temperature influence the performance and behavior of the chickens. Chicks with late hatching (long hatching period) are more active in the first week of life and have worse performance in the growth phase when raised at the preferred temperature. Irrespective of the duration of the hatching period and the rearing temperature, chickens significantly decrease activity with weight gain, which is characterized by increased resting frequency and tonic immobility time.

Efeito do contato humano e da aprendizagem social intra-específica na imobilidade tônica em cobaias (Cavia porcellus)

A domesticação de algumas espécies animais, visando o suprimento de demandas humanas se deu há poucos milhares de anos. Contudo, esse tempo não foi suficiente para suprimir diversos mecanismo de defesa desenvolvidos ao longo de milhões de anos. A imobilidade tônica (IT) é uma resposta defensiva inata, caracterizada por um estado de profunda inatividade física e relativa falta de responsividade ao meio ambiente. Estudos revelaram que o contato com seres humanos pode reduzir as respostas de IT em animais. Além disso, a sinalização social do perigo iminente desempenha uma importante função adaptativa anti-predação em muitas espécies. No caso das respostas de medo, os animais podem apresentar comportamento de medo ou não, a partir da observação do comportamento dos membros da mesma espécie. No presente estudo, foi avaliado o efeito do contato humano sobre as respostas de IT em cobaias. Além disso, também estudamos o efeito do convívio entre animais amansados e não amansados nas suas respostas de IT. Para conseguir isso, medimos as respostas de IT induzidas por inversão postural e contenção em cobaias após diferentes tratamentos. No primeiro experimento, foi avaliado o efeito do contato humano sobre as respostas de IT. Para isso, 3 grupos de cobaias foram submetidos a tratamentos diferentes: sem contato, manuseados e amansados. No segundo experimento, foi avaliado o efeito da aprendizagem social na resposta de IT em animais amansados e não amansados que tinham dividido a mesma caixa durante 10 dias. No primeiro experimento, a manipulação ou amansamento por 10 dias não suprimiu a IT, mas aumentou a latência e diminuiu a duração da IT nas cobaias. No segundo experimento, o convívio de animais amansados e não amansados reduziu a duração da IT nas cobaias não amansadas. Estes dados sugerem que ambas as formas de interação humana, pode reduzir o medo do experimentador em cobaias. Parece, portanto, que as cobaias não amansadas aprendem a não temer o experimentador por conviver com cobaias amansadas.

The domestication of some animal species, aiming to supply human demands took a few thousand years. This time was not sufficient to remove several defense mechanisms developed over millions of years. Thus, even living in a totally changed environment and often free of any predators, many species still preserve the essential behaviors and former defense mechanisms. These are essentially individual in all species. But many species have social mechanisms aimed at preserving the group. The IT is an innate defense response, characterized by a state of profound physical inactivity and relative unresponsiveness to the environment. This response can be triggered by a wide range of species of vertebrates and invertebrates and is also known as an animal hypnosis or play dead. The IT appears as the last resort used by trapped in extreme effort for survival and aims to reduce the likelihood of attack maintenance, since the movement of the prey stimulates continuity. Studies have shown that contact with humans can reduce IT responses in animals. The social signaling imminent danger plays an important anti-predation adaptive function in many species. In this sense, social learning is a tool used by some species to transmission of environmental information between individuals of the group, quickly and efficiently. In the case of fear responses, animals may exhibit fear or not behavior from observing the behavior of conspecifics. In our study, we evaluated the effect of human contact on the TI responses in guinea pigs. We also evaluated the effect of cohabitation (non-fearful animals with fearful animals) on their TI responses. To achieve this, we measured the TI responses induced by postural inversion and restraint in guinea pigs after different treatments. In our first experiment, we determined the effect of human contact on TI responses by establishing 3 treatment groups: no contact, handled, and tamed. In our second experiment, we addressed the effect of social learning on TI response by testing TI response in tamed and untamed animals that had cohabitated for 10 days. In the first experiment, 10 days of either handling or taming the guinea pigs did not prevent TI, but it did increase latency and decrease duration of the TI behavior in the guinea pigs. In the second experiment, the cohabitation of untamed and tamed animals reduced TI duration in the untamed guinea pigs. These data suggest that both forms of human interaction can reduce experimenter fear in guinea pigs. It therefore seems that untamed guinea pigs learn not to fear the experimenter by cohabitating with tamed guinea pigs.

Efeitos fisiológicos e comportamentais do uso do extrato de valeriana em dietas de codornas em crescimento / Phisiologics and behavioral effects of the use of valeriana extract in diet of the quail in growing / Efectos Fisiologicos Y De Comportamiento Con El Uso Del Extracto De Valeriana En La Dieta De Codornices En Crecimiento

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o efeito da Valeriana officinalis sobre os parâmetros comportamentais e fisiológicos em codornas japonesas na fase de recria. No período entre 28 a 42 dias de idade, 192 codornas fêmeas, com peso médio de 121,25±6,96g, foram distribuídas em blocos ao acaso e alimentadas com dieta composta principalmente por milho e farelo de soja onde foram adicionados 0, 250, 500 e 750 mg de valeriana/kg de ração, totalizando 4 tratamentos e 8 repetições cada. Os resultados de comportamento (tempo em imobilidade tônica, observação das atividades realizadas e ferimentos corporais) e fisiológicos (níveis plasmáticos de corticosterona e relação heterófilo:linfócito) foram avaliados. Na fase de recria, os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a valeriana adicionada na dieta em níveis crescentes não foi capaz de alterar os parâmetros de comportamento e fisiológicos.(AU)

The effects of feeding levels of Valeriana officinalis on behavior and physiologic parameters of female quails in the rearing periods were evaluated. In the rearing phase, 192 quails, from 28 to 42 days old, average weight 121,25±6,96g, were lodged to cages and allotted to randomized blocks design, with four treatments (control; 250; 500 and 750mg of valeriana/kg of ration) with eight replicates and six birds per cage. Behavior (body injury, tonic immobility and focal observation) and physiological parameters (heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and corticosterone blood plasma) was evaluated. In the rearing periods the tested valeriana levels did not affect behavior and physiological parameters of quails.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la Valeriana officinalis en los parámetros comportamentales y fisiológicos en la codorniz japonesa hembra en fase de crecimiento. De 28 a 42 días de edad, 192 codornices con peso medio de 121,25±6,96g, fueron distribuidas en bloques al azar y alimentadas con una dieta principalmente de maíz y soja que se añadió 0, 250, 500 y 750 mg de valeriana/kg de dieta, en el total 4 tratamientos y 8 repeticiones. Los resultados de comportamiento (tiempo de inmovilidad tónica, la observación de las actividades y lesiones corporales) y fisiológicos (niveles plasmáticos de la relación de corticosterona y heterófilos: linfocitos) fueron obtenidos. En la fase de crecimiento los resultados obtenidos, han mostrado que la valeriana añadida a la dieta en los niveles de crecimiento no ha sido capaz de cambiar los parámetros de comportamiento y fisiológicos. (AU)

Inclusão da camomila no desempenho, comportamento e estresse em codornas durante a fase de recria

The objective of this study was to test the effect of Matricaria chamomila on the stress of the Japanese quails in the rearing period. In the rearing phase, from 28 to 42 days old, 192 quails were lodged to cages and allotted to completely randomized blocks design, with four diets (0; 250; 500 and 750mg of chamomile/kg of ration), with eight replicates and six birds per cage. Performance (feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio), behavior (body injury, tonic immobility and focal observation) and physiological parameters (corticosterone plasmatic and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) were evaluated. The tested chamomile levels did not affect performance, behavior and physiological parameters of quails in the rearing phase.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da Matricaria chamomila sobre o estresse de codornas japonesas na fase de recria (28 a 42 dias de idade). Foram utilizadas 192 codornas com 28 dias de idades, distribuídas em blocos casualizados e submetidas às dietas com 0, 250, 500 e 750mg de camomila/kg de ração, totalizando quatro tratamentos, com oito repetições e seis aves por parcela. Foram avaliados os parâmetros de desempenho (consumo diário de ração, conversão alimentar e ganho de peso), comportamentais (tempo em imobilidade tônica, ferimentos corporais e agressividade) e fisiológicos (concentração plasmática de corticosterona e relação heterófilo:linfócito). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a camomila adicionada na dieta não foi capaz de alterar os parâmetros de desempenho, bem como os de comportamento e fisiológicos.

Inclusão da camomila no desempenho, comportamento e estresse em codornas durante a fase de recria

The objective of this study was to test the effect of Matricaria chamomila on the stress of the Japanese quails in the rearing period. In the rearing phase, from 28 to 42 days old, 192 quails were lodged to cages and allotted to completely randomized blocks design, with four diets (0; 250; 500 and 750mg of chamomile/kg of ration), with eight replicates and six birds per cage. Performance (feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio), behavior (body injury, tonic immobility and focal observation) and physiological parameters (corticosterone plasmatic and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio) were evaluated. The tested chamomile levels did not affect performance, behavior and physiological parameters of quails in the rearing phase.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da Matricaria chamomila sobre o estresse de codornas japonesas na fase de recria (28 a 42 dias de idade). Foram utilizadas 192 codornas com 28 dias de idades, distribuídas em blocos casualizados e submetidas às dietas com 0, 250, 500 e 750mg de camomila/kg de ração, totalizando quatro tratamentos, com oito repetições e seis aves por parcela. Foram avaliados os parâmetros de desempenho (consumo diário de ração, conversão alimentar e ganho de peso), comportamentais (tempo em imobilidade tônica, ferimentos corporais e agressividade) e fisiológicos (concentração plasmática de corticosterona e relação heterófilo:linfócito). Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a camomila adicionada na dieta não foi capaz de alterar os parâmetros de desempenho, bem como os de comportamento e fisiológicos.

Efeitos fisiológicos e comportamentais do uso do extrato de valeriana em dietas de codornas em crescimento / Phisiologics and behavioral effects of the use of valeriana extract in diet of the quail in growing / Efectos Fisiologicos Y De Comportamiento Con El Uso Del Extracto De Valeriana En La Dieta De Codornices En Crecimiento

Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o efeito da Valeriana officinalis sobre os parâmetros comportamentais e fisiológicos em codornas japonesas na fase de recria. No período entre 28 a 42 dias de idade, 192 codornas fêmeas, com peso médio de 121,25±6,96g, foram distribuídas em blocos ao acaso e alimentadas com dieta composta principalmente por milho e farelo de soja onde foram adicionados 0, 250, 500 e 750 mg de valeriana/kg de ração, totalizando 4 tratamentos e 8 repetições cada. Os resultados de comportamento (tempo em imobilidade tônica, observação das atividades realizadas e ferimentos corporais) e fisiológicos (níveis plasmáticos de corticosterona e relação heterófilo:linfócito) foram avaliados. Na fase de recria, os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a valeriana adicionada na dieta em níveis crescentes não foi capaz de alterar os parâmetros de comportamento e fisiológicos.

The effects of feeding levels of Valeriana officinalis on behavior and physiologic parameters of female quails in the rearing periods were evaluated. In the rearing phase, 192 quails, from 28 to 42 days old, average weight 121,25±6,96g, were lodged to cages and allotted to randomized blocks design, with four treatments (control; 250; 500 and 750mg of valeriana/kg of ration) with eight replicates and six birds per cage. Behavior (body injury, tonic immobility and focal observation) and physiological parameters (heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and corticosterone blood plasma) was evaluated. In the rearing periods the tested valeriana levels did not affect behavior and physiological parameters of quails.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la Valeriana officinalis en los parámetros comportamentales y fisiológicos en la codorniz japonesa hembra en fase de crecimiento. De 28 a 42 días de edad, 192 codornices con peso medio de 121,25±6,96g, fueron distribuidas en bloques al azar y alimentadas con una dieta principalmente de maíz y soja que se añadió 0, 250, 500 y 750 mg de valeriana/kg de dieta, en el total 4 tratamientos y 8 repeticiones. Los resultados de comportamiento (tiempo de inmovilidad tónica, la observación de las actividades y lesiones corporales) y fisiológicos (niveles plasmáticos de la relación de corticosterona y heterófilos: linfocitos) fueron obtenidos. En la fase de crecimiento los resultados obtenidos, han mostrado que la valeriana añadida a la dieta en los niveles de crecimiento no ha sido capaz de cambiar los parámetros de comportamiento y fisiológicos.