RESPONSE OF BROILERS, NOILERS AND NATIVE CHICKENS TO TRANSPORTATION STRESS

Abstract

This study evaluated the response of broilers, noilers and native chickens to transportation stress. A total of fortyfive chickens were used for this study. There were 15 chickens representing the three genetic groups that served as the treatments. The chickens were randomly placed in the transportation crates in a completely randomized design. Rectal Temperature (RT) and Body Temperature (BT) of chickens were recorded before, during, and after transportation while the weights of each of the birds were measured before and after transportation. Body weight changes were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the noiler and the native chicken. There was no weight change (p>0.05) in the broiler chicken. The body temperatures of the broilers before, during, and after transportation were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the noiler and the native chickens. It was concluded that broilers were more susceptible to transportation stress than the noilers and local chickens.