SIMULATED TRANSPORTATION STRESS: ITS EFFECT ON THE PRODUCTIVITY AND SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF LAYING HENS

Abstract

In the Philippines, ready-to-lay (RTL) hens are often sold to poultry layer farms as new stocks or replacement. These stocks are transported from the supplier farm via trucks which can last from hours to days. This study aimed to determine the effect of various transportation durations using a mechanical vibration simulator on the productivity and selected haematological and biochemical indices of laying hens. Results revealed that increasing vibration (stressor) duration exposure elevated the total white blood cell count, and heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (H/ L) of the hens, an indicator of stress levels. Even with the shortest vibration exposure of 2 hours, H/ L values were still elevated until the 2nd week. Blood glucose level was found significantly different between treatments, but with no correlation with feed intake. No significant difference was observed on plasma protein values and egg production among treatments. The stressor did not affect egg production but had an effect on the animal’s feed intake.