Assessing the Influence of Airborne Pollutants from Cement Factory on Fear Behavior in Broiler Chickens

Environmental pollution is a growing concern in poultry production, with potential effects on broiler welfare. This study investigated the fear responses of broiler chickens reared in environments with and without industrial pollution over a six-week period. Two hundred 1-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted into two experimental groups: a control environment without industrial pollution and an industrial environment. Birds (n = 100/site) were housed in open-sided deep litter facilities under similar management. Air quality was assessed, and fear responses using tonic immobility, emergence, and inversion tests were monitored. Higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen dioxide with the exception of volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide were observed at the industrial site. Birds at the industrial site exhibited longer (p < 0.05) emergence latency at weeks 5 and 6 and greater flapping intensity and duration during weeks 2 and 3, respectively. Birds in the industrial environment showed longer (p < 0.05) overall average tonic immobility and emergence latency, suggesting that industrial pollution may alter selected fear-related behavioral responses and potentially compromise welfare.        .