Effect of Different Feed Restriction Programs in Broilers on Parameters of Blood Biochemistry

Abstract

In the study, the effects of different feeding programs on some blood biochemistry and tonic immobility durations in Ross 308 broilers were investigated. When aged 7 d, 60 chicks were divided into three groups to this end as AD, FR and NF in such a way that each group contained 20 birds. The tonic immobility durations, some parameters of blood biochemistry and the H:L ratios, by utilizing the heterophil and lymphocyte counts were determined. As a result of the analysis of variance carried out, it was observed that the H:L ratios of the birds in group NF were higher than those of the birds in groups AD and FR (p = 0.031). No statistically significant difference existed between the tonic immobility durations of the birds in groups AD and FR (p > 0.05) whereas it was observed that the tonic immobility durations of the birds in group NF were clearly higher than those of the groups AD and FR (p = 0.021). Starting from these findings, it was concluded that increasing the duration of feed restriction caused a serious level of stress on birds.