Tuesday, 29 October 2002
Haematochemical profile of commerical layers influenced by heat combating systems during high ambient temperature.
A project was designed to compare the efficiency of various heat combating system (HCS) in maintaining the normal levels of TLC, PCV, haemoglobin, glucose and cholesterol in the blood of commercial layers during summer season. The present study was conducted at the poultry experiment station, University Agriculture, Faisalabad, (Pakistan) on 300 White Leghorn (Euribrid) pullets at the age of 24 weeks. These pullets were wing banded and randomly divided into 15 experimental units, comprising 20 pullets each. These units were randomly allotted to five treatment groups, replicated thrice according to completely randomized design. Three units under each of the following 4 heat combating system i.e. water sprinkling (WS), Desert cooling (DC), Time limit feeding (TLF) Ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation and the control were maintained under cage housing in the similar and equal sized (7.6 x 7.0 meters) separate rooms. TLC appeared to be highest at peak stress as compared to pre-stress and post-stress stages. PCV remained towards higher side under desert cooling, water sprinkling and time limit feeding schedule. The concentration of hemoglobin was decreased during peak stress compared to pre-stress stage and again rose to a higher level with the fall of temperature. All the HCS exhibited a decline in serum glucose content relative to untreated control. Desert cooling, water sprinkling and ascorbic acid supplementation decreased the glucose content equally, however, under time limit feeding schedule it remained lowest. All the heat combating system reduced the serum cholesterol level of hens exposed to heat stress compared to those of untreated group. Maximum increase in cholesterol was observed in the hens where no heat ameliorating method was practiced. Maximum decline in cholesterol was noted under ascorbic acid supplementation followed by the desert cooling system.
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