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Multiple concurrent stressors in chicks. 1. Effect on weight gain, feed intake, and behavior
J M McFarlane1, S E Curtis, R D Shanks
1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
Poultry Science
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Multiple stressors negatively impact broiler chick performance, reducing weight gain and feed efficiency. The combined effects of concurrent stressors can be estimated by summing individual stressor impacts, suggesting additive effects in practical poultry production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Science
- Stress Physiology
Background:
- Poultry production frequently exposes birds to multiple concurrent stressors.
- Understanding the cumulative impact of these stressors is crucial for optimizing animal welfare and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of six concurrent stressors on broiler chick performance and behavior.
- To determine if stressor interactions are additive, synergistic, or antagonistic.
Main Methods:
- A 2(6)-factorial experiment was conducted on Hubbard x Hubbard chicks from 10 to 17 days posthatch.
- Treatments included aerial ammonia, beak trimming, coccidiosis, electric shock, heat stress, and continuous noise.
- Performance parameters (weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency) and behavioral changes were measured.
Main Results:
- All stressors, except noise, significantly decreased weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion efficiency, while increasing the coefficient of variation in gain.
- Linear decreases in performance and increases in variation were observed with increasing numbers of concurrent stressors.
- Behavioral changes were minimal and showed few significant interactions or effects of stressor order.
Conclusions:
- The performance effects of multiple concurrent stressors appear to be largely additive.
- The impact of individual stressors on performance can be summed to estimate the overall effect in practical poultry production settings.
- While behavioral responses were less conclusive, performance data indicate chicks respond predictably to combined stressors.