A study of erythrocyte changes in white Pekin ducks

Erythrocyte distribution studies were determined in 5 control (non-stressed) and 5 ducks which were bled 1.6% of their body weight 3 times at 10-day intervals. Erythrocyte distribution studies were performed using a Coulter ZBI with channelizer and Accucomp accessory. The total erythrocyte count (P1 + P2) and the P1 population dropped 10% from the pre-bleeding count; however, test animals exhibited less than a 10% change after the third sampling. There was no apparent effect of the bleeding on the total counts and the P1 count over the 28-day trial period.