Blood glucose values and definitions for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in clinically normal broiler chicks.

Two analytical methods were used to establish expected blood glucose values for normal 2-week-old broiler chicks. The lower values (cut-offs) that define hypoglycemia are 137 mg/dl for the standard method and 60 mg/dl for the Chemstrip bG method. The upper cut-offs that define hyperglycemia were 363 mg/dl for the standard method and 280 mg/dl for the Chemstrip bG method. Results from these two tests are significantly (F = 110.9, df = 1/124, P < 0.00001) linear and highly correlated. Results from the present study will allow diagnosticians to make confident diagnoses of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in young broiler chicks.