Impact of Stocking Density on Broiler Chicken Performance, Blood Biochemisty, and Carcass Attributes in an Intensive Rearing System

Subject Areas : Camel

N.N.  Meena ¹ (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur, India)
H.A.  Waiz ² (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur, India)
D.M.  Chavhan ³ (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur, India)
K.  Tosawada ⁴ (Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur, India)

Received: 2022-01-31 Accepted : 2022-04-29 Published : 2022-12-01

Keywords: performance, welfare, carcass, broilers, stocking density, hemato-biochemical,

Abstract :

The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of stocking density on performance, welfare, haemato-biochemical indices, and carcass traits of broiler chickens raised under intensive rearing systems. Present investigation was conducted on broilers aged 6 weeks at poultry unit of Livestock farm complex, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, Udaipur (Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences) India. There were three treatment groups i.e.,D1 with 8 birds/m2, D2 served as control having 10 birds/m2, D3 with 12 birds/m2, respectively.Each treatment group showed a statistically significant (P<0.05) effect on body weights, growth, and feed conversion efficiency (P<0.05). Treatment group D1 had the highest body weight, body weight gain, better feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 42 days of age, followed by D2 (control) and D3. Stocking density significantly (P<0.05)influenced some behavior traits such as drinking and locomotion. Hemoglobin (Hb) and heterophil to lymphocytes (H/L) ratios were significantly affected (P<0.05) by all three stocking densities. Biochemical measures were unaffected between the three stocking densities. Except for the heart percentage, which was non-significant, stocking densities had a significant (P<0.05) influence on carcass traits such as neck, back, dressing, drum stick, liver, and gizzard percentages. The results of this study revealed that having a higher live body weight in a smaller space increases productivity when it comes to profitably rearing birds and keeping them for longer than 40 days.

References:

Abo Alqassem Z.S., Ahmed E., Ahmed and El Iraqi E. (2018). Effect of different stocking densities as an environmental stressing factor on broiler behavior and performance. Benha Vet. Med. J. 34, 51-65.

Abudabos  A.M., Samara E.M., Hussein  E.O,  Al-Ghadi  M.A.Q. and  Al-Atiyat  R.M. (2013). Impacts of stocking density on the performance and welfare of broiler chickens. Italian J. Anim. Sci. 12, 11-18.

Ayoola A.A., Adeyemi O.A., Egbeyale L.T., Sogunle O.M. and Ekunseitan D.A. (2014). Effects of sex and stocking density on growth performance and some physiological traits of Japanese quails (Coturnixcoturnix japonica).  Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 17, 43-53.

Casanova J.M., Carrasco N.A., Fernández and Miyakawa M.E. (2019). Microbiota, gut health and chicken productivity: What is the connection? Microorganisms. 7, 374-381.

Cengiz E.O., Keoksal B.H., Tatl O., Sevim E.O., Ahsan U., Uner A.G.E., Uluta P.A., Beyaz S.D., Beuyeukyeoreuk S., Yakan A. and  Onol A.G.E. (2015). Effect of dietary probiotic and high stocking density on the performance, carcass yield, gut microflora, and stress indicators of broilers. Poult. Sci. 94, 2395-2403.

Chegini S.A., Kiani A. and Rokni H. (2018). Alleviation of thermal and overcrowding stress in finishing broilers by dietary propolis supplementation. Italian J. Anim. Sci. 17, 377-385.

Das  H. and  Lacin  E. (2014).  The effect of different photoperiods and stocking densities on fattening performance, carcass and some stress parameters in broilers. Israel J. Vet. Med. 69, 211-220.

Estevez I. (2007). Density allowances for broilers: Where to set the limits? Poult. Sci. 86, 1265-1272.

FAO. (2019). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy.

Farhadi D. and Hosseini S.M. (2016). Evaluation of growth performance, carcass characteristics, litter quality and foot lesions of broilers reared under high stocking density. Iranian J. Appl. Anim. Sci. 6(1), 187-194.

Feddes J.J., Emmanuel E.J. and uidhoft M.J. (2002). Broiler performance, body weight variance, feed and water intake, and carcass quality at different stocking densities. Poult. Sci. 81, 774-779.

Goo D., Kim J.H., Park G.H., Delos Reyes J.B. and Kil D.Y. (2019). Effect of heat stress and stocking density on growth performance, breast meat quality, and intestinal barrier function in broiler chickens. Animals. 9(3), 107-118.

Gopinger E.V.D., Avila V.S.D., Perondi D., Catalan A.A.D.S., Krabbe E.L. and Roll V.F.B. (2015). Performance, carcass characteristics and litter moisture in broilers housed at two densities. Acta Sci. Anim. Sci. 37, 35-39.

Gupta S., Behera K., Lone S. and Behera D. (2016). Influence of stocking density on growth performance of vencobb broiler. Asian-australasian J. Anim. Sci. 10, 187-192.

Heckert R.A., Estevez I., Russek-Cohen E. and Pettit-Riley R. (2002). Effects of density and perch availability onthe immune status of broilers. Poult. Sci. 81, 451-457.

Heidari S. and Toghyani M. (2018). Effect of stocking density andmethionine levels on growth performance and immunity of broilerchicks. Iranian J. Appl. Anim. Sci. 8, 483-489.

Houshmand M., Azhar K., Zulkifli I., Bejo M.H. and Kamyab A. (2012). Effects of prebiotic, protein level, and stocking density on performance, immunity, and stress indicators of broilers. Poult. Sci. 91, 393-401.

Iyasere O.S., Daramola J.O., Bemji M.N., Adeleye O.O., Sobayo R.A., Iyasere E. and Onagbesa O.M. (2012). Effects of stocking density and air velocity on behaviour and performance of Anak broiler chickens in South-Western Nigeria. Iranian J. Appl. Anim. Sci. 1, 52-56.

Karthiayani K. and Philomina P.T. (2015). Effect of stocking density on blood biochemical and leucocyte profile of Broiler chicken in summer season. Indian J. Poult. Sci. 50, 218-221.

Kenaleone G., John C., Shalaulan J. and Christopher M. (2014). Influence of stocking density on growth performance of family chicks reared up to 18 weeks of age in under an intensive system. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci. 3, 291-302.

Kumar F., Mir N. A., Rafiq A., Singh V. and Shukla V. (2017). Determinants of broiler chicken meat quality and factors affecting them: A review. J. Food Sci. Technol. 10, 2997-3009.

Leone E.H. and Estévez I. (2008). Economic and welfare benefits of environmental enrichment for broiler breeders. Poult. Sci. 87, 14-21.

Ligaraba T.J., Benyi K. and Baloyi J.J. (2016). Effects of genotype and stocking density on broiler performance under three feeding regimes. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 6, 1227-1234.

Livestock Census (2012). WebMD. https://dahd.nic.in/sites/default/filess/Livestock%20%205_0.pdf data Retrieved on 16.04.2022.

Livestock Census Rajasthan (2019). WebMD. https://www.rajras.in/index.php/20th-livestock-census-of-rajasthan/ data Retrieved on 12.01.2022.

Madilindi M.A., Mokobane A., Letwaba P.B., Tshilate T.S., Banga C.B., Rambau M.D. and Benyi K. (2018). Effects of sex and stocking density on the performance of broiler chickens in a sub-tropical environment. South African J. Anim. Sci. 4, 459-468.

Magala H., Kugonza D.R., Kwizera H. and Kyarisiima C.C. (2012). Influence of management system on growth and carcass characteristics of Ugandan local chickens. J. Anim. Sci. Adv. 2, 558-567.

Martin P., Bateson P.P.G. and Bateson P. (2015). Measuring Behavior: An Introductory Guide. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Mishra S., Taylor S.P., Gupta L., Bugaliya H.L. and Dangi B.L. (2019). Characteristics of local chicken birds from southern Rajasthan region. Int. J. Livest. Res. 9(5), 120-127.

Mishra A.K. (2020). WebMD. https://baliyans.com/daily-current-affairs//poultry-editorialindustry-in-india data Retrieved on 28.08.2021.

Mahrose K.M.M., Alagawany M.E., Abd Elhack S.A., Mahgoub and Attia F.A.M. (2019b). Influences of stocking density and dietary probiotic supplementation on growing Japanese quail performance. Anais Acad. Bras. Ciencias. 91, e20180616.

Nasr M.A.F., Alkhedaide A.Q. Ramadan A.A.I., Abdel-Salem E.H. and Mohamed A.H. (2021). Potential impact of stocking density on growth, carcass traits, indicatives of biochemical and oxidative stress and meat quality of different broiler breeds. Poult. Sci. 100, 101442.

Nikita N., Rao P.S., Deepali  and Meena G.S. (2018). Economics of poultry enterprise in Rajasthan. Indian J. Ext. Educ. 26, 71-77.

Onbaşılar E.E., Poyraz O. and Çetin S. (2008). Effects of breeder age and stocking density on performance, carcass characteristics and some stress parameters of broilers. Asian-australasian J. Anim. Sci. 21, 262-269.

Park B.S., Um K.H., Park S.O. and Zammit V.A. (2018). Effect of stocking density on behavioral traits, blood biochemical parameters and immune responses in meat ducks exposed to heat stress. Arch. Anim. Breed. 61, 425-432.

Petek M., Üstüner H. and Yeşilbağ D. (2014). Effects of stocking density and litter type on litter quality and growth performance of broiler chicken. Kafkas Univ. Vet. Fak. Derg. 20, 743-748.

Puvadolpirod S. and Thaxton J.P. (2000). Model of physiologicalstress in chickens: 1. Response parameters. Poult. Sci. 79, 363-369.

Qaid M., Albatshan H., Shafey T., Hussein E. and Abudabos A.M. (2016). Effect of stocking density on the performance and immunity of 1-to 14-d-old broiler chicks. Rev. Bras. Cienc. Solo. 18(4), 683-692.

Rambau M.D., Mudau M.L., Makhanya S.D. and Benyi K. (2016). Effects of stocking density and daily feed withdrawal periods on the performance of broiler chickens in a semi-arid environment. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 48, 1547-1554.

Reiter K. and Bessei W. (2009) Effect of locomotion activity on bone development and leg disorders. Arch. Geflugelkd. 62, 247-253.

Sekeroglu A., Sarica M.U.S.A., Gulay M.S. and Duman M. (2011). Effect of stocking density on chick performance, internal organ weights and blood parameters in broilers. J. Anim. Vet. Adv. 10, 246-250.

Siaga R., Baloyi J.J., Rambau M.D. and Benyi K. (2017). Effects of stocking density and genotype on the growth performance of male and female broiler chickens. Asian. J. Poult. Sci. 11, 96-104.

Silas A.F., Ayorinde A.O., Daisy E., Mark S.O., Bolante O.O. and Nwakaegho E.G. (2014). Effect of stocking density and quantitative feed restriction on growth performance, digestibility, haematological characteristics and cost of starting broiler chicks. J. Anim. Health Prod. 2, 60-64.

Simitzis P.E., Kalogeraki E., Goliomytis M., Charismiadou M.A., Triantaphyllopoulos K., Ayoutanti A. and Deligeorgis S.G. (2012) Impact of stocking density on broiler growth performance, meat characteristics, behavioral components and indicators of physiological and oxidative stress. British Poult. Sci. 53, 721-730.

Singh K.D., Pramanik P.S. and Kumar R. (2018). Effect of stocking density on stress reaction and mortality in broiler chickens. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. Appl. Sci. 7, 182-189.

Son J.H. (2013). The effect of stocking density on the behaviour and welfare indexes of broiler chickens. Agric. Sci. Technol. 3, 307-315.

Sosnowka Czajka E., Skomorucha I. and Herbut E. (2005). Stocking density-related welfare of broiler chickens of two commercial strains. Pp. 174-177 in Proc. 12^th Int. Congr. ISAH, Warsaw, Poland.

Spinu M.S., Benveneste B. and Degen A.A. (2003). Effect of density and season on stress and behaviour in broiler breeder hens. British Poult. Sci. 44, 170-174.

SPSS Inc. (2015). Statistical Package for Social Sciences Study. SPSS for Windows, Version 22.0. Chicago SPSS Inc., USA.

Steel  R.G.D.,  Torrie J.H. and  Dickey  D.A. (1997). Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, USA.

Tong H.B., Lu J., Zou J.M., Wang Q. and Shi, S.R. (2012). Effects of stocking density on growth performance, carcass yield, and immune status of a local chicken breed. Poult. Sci. 91, 667-673.

Thaxton J.P., Dozier W.A., Branton S.L., Morgan G.W., Miles D.W., Roush W.B., Lott B.D. and Vizzer-Thaxton Y. (2006). Stocking density and physiological adaptive responses of broilers. Poult. Sci. 85, 819-824.

Tuerkyilmaz M.K. (2008). The effect of stocking density on stress reaction in broiler chickens during summer. Turkish J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 32, 31-36.

Ventura B.A., Siewerdt F. and Estevez I. (2010). Effects of barrier perches and density on broiler leg health, fear and perform ance. Poult. Sci. 89, 1574-1583.

Wang  B., Min  Z., Yuan  J.,  Zhang  B. and  Guo Y. (2014). Effects of dietary tryptophan and stocking density on the performance, meat quality, and metabolic status of broilers. J. Anim. Sci. Biotechnol. 5, 1-7.

Yanai T.M.I., Abo-Samaha S.E., El-Kazaz H.G. and Tohamy (2018). Effect of stocking density on productive performance, behaviour, and histopathology of the lymphoid organs in broiler chickens. European Poult. Sci. 82, 247-256.

Zulkifli I. and Sti Nor Azah A. (2004). Fear and stress reactions and the performance of commercial broiler chickens subjectedto regular pleasant and unpleasant contacts with human being. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 88, 77-87.