Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of probiotic in improving welfare of broilers reared under low stocking density (LSD) and mitigating high stocking density (HSD) stress. A total number of 240 chicks were sub divided into four groups with three replicates for each. Two groups were...

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Main Authors: Rasha R. Ibrahim, Fatma Khalil, Ahmed S. Mostafa, Hosny H. Emeash
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Assiut University 2018-09-01
Series:Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research
Online Access:http://advetresearch.com/index.php/AVR/article/view/325
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spelling doaj-76673d8a989c423dae40890ea22af2832020-11-24T22:01:14ZengAssiut UniversityJournal of Advanced Veterinary Research2090-62692090-62772018-09-01847378325Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in BroilersRasha R. IbrahimFatma KhalilAhmed S. MostafaHosny H. EmeashThis study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of probiotic in improving welfare of broilers reared under low stocking density (LSD) and mitigating high stocking density (HSD) stress. A total number of 240 chicks were sub divided into four groups with three replicates for each. Two groups were reared under LSD (10 bird/m2).; 48 chicks (16 bird/ replicate) for each and another 2 groups were reared under HSD (15 bird/m2); 72 chicks (24 bird/ replicate). At each density, one group was supplemented with Protexin® and the other was not supplemented. Blood corticosterone (CS) level was measured and behavior of broilers was recorded weekly. At the end of the growing cycle, behavioral welfare fear response test (time of first attempt to stand, number of attempts to stand and tonic immobility duration) was performed and brain monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) concentrations were measured. As a result, HSD stress increased the time birds spent to perform the first attempt to stand and prolonged TI duration. However, Protexin® supplementation only reduced the time of first attempt to stand at higher density without alteration of the number of attempts required to induce TI. No significant improvement in fear response in LSD birds supplied with Protexin®. Furthermore, HSD stress decreased feeding, drinking and walking duration. However, Protexin® supplementation improved feeding, drinking and walking behaviors at LSD and did not improve behaviors of birds at HSD. Moreover, HSD increased CS levels at the 4th, 5th and 6th week of the growing cycle. However, Protexin® supplementation had a decreasing effect on CS levels in the birds reared at HD at the last two weeks of the growing cycle. In addition, brain serotonin concentration was increased in birds reared at HD without Protexin® supplementation and showed no alteration in that supplemented with the probiotic at LSD and HSD. Data suggests that, Protexin® supplementation may be beneficial in improving welfare (behavior al indicator) of broilers reared at LSD and alleviate some effects of HSD stress on birds.http://advetresearch.com/index.php/AVR/article/view/325
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Rasha R. Ibrahim
Fatma Khalil
Ahmed S. Mostafa
Hosny H. Emeash
spellingShingle Rasha R. Ibrahim
Fatma Khalil
Ahmed S. Mostafa
Hosny H. Emeash
Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers
Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research
author_facet Rasha R. Ibrahim
Fatma Khalil
Ahmed S. Mostafa
Hosny H. Emeash
author_sort Rasha R. Ibrahim
title Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers
title_short Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers
title_full Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers
title_fullStr Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy of Probiotic in Improving Welfare and Mitigating Overcrowding Stress in Broilers
title_sort efficacy of probiotic in improving welfare and mitigating overcrowding stress in broilers
publisher Assiut University
series Journal of Advanced Veterinary Research
issn 2090-6269
2090-6277
publishDate 2018-09-01
description This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of probiotic in improving welfare of broilers reared under low stocking density (LSD) and mitigating high stocking density (HSD) stress. A total number of 240 chicks were sub divided into four groups with three replicates for each. Two groups were reared under LSD (10 bird/m2).; 48 chicks (16 bird/ replicate) for each and another 2 groups were reared under HSD (15 bird/m2); 72 chicks (24 bird/ replicate). At each density, one group was supplemented with Protexin® and the other was not supplemented. Blood corticosterone (CS) level was measured and behavior of broilers was recorded weekly. At the end of the growing cycle, behavioral welfare fear response test (time of first attempt to stand, number of attempts to stand and tonic immobility duration) was performed and brain monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) concentrations were measured. As a result, HSD stress increased the time birds spent to perform the first attempt to stand and prolonged TI duration. However, Protexin® supplementation only reduced the time of first attempt to stand at higher density without alteration of the number of attempts required to induce TI. No significant improvement in fear response in LSD birds supplied with Protexin®. Furthermore, HSD stress decreased feeding, drinking and walking duration. However, Protexin® supplementation improved feeding, drinking and walking behaviors at LSD and did not improve behaviors of birds at HSD. Moreover, HSD increased CS levels at the 4th, 5th and 6th week of the growing cycle. However, Protexin® supplementation had a decreasing effect on CS levels in the birds reared at HD at the last two weeks of the growing cycle. In addition, brain serotonin concentration was increased in birds reared at HD without Protexin® supplementation and showed no alteration in that supplemented with the probiotic at LSD and HSD. Data suggests that, Protexin® supplementation may be beneficial in improving welfare (behavior al indicator) of broilers reared at LSD and alleviate some effects of HSD stress on birds.
url http://advetresearch.com/index.php/AVR/article/view/325
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