Effect of some pollutants as stressors on some behavioural patterns and performance of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

A total of 200 Hubbard day-old chicks of both sexes were raised together up to 2 weeks of age, then were randomly divided into four equal groups [I, II, III and IV] each of 50 birds. Each group was housed in a separate room. Group I was optimally accommodated and considered as the control, while in group II birds were exposed to 3000-3200 ppm of carbon dioxide. Group III was exposed to 100-125 ppm of ammonia, and group IV was exposed to sprinkling with 10 g fine dust for 15 minutes daily. The results showed that, exposure of broiler chickens to some noxious stimuli [stressers] throughout the rearing period significantly reduced feed consumption, weight gain and consequently feed conversion compared with the control group. In addition, investigative [feeding and drinking] and comfort [rest, sleep and preening] behaviors were influenced by stressers, on the other h and, there was a significant increase in occurrence of agonistic behavior [feather pecking and cannibalism] in the group exposed to stresses. This leads to increased mortality percentage among those birds