Abstract

One of the most important challenges facing turkey production is high stocking density, therefore this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different stocking density of 2 different turkey breeds (The Egyptian Black Baladi and The Commercial White Nicholas) on productive performance (live body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio) and some stress indicators. A total of 108 poults-8 weeks old were allocated into 3 different rearing systems: G1; control (4 birds/m 2 ); G2 and G3; reared at 6 and 8 birds/m 2 , respectively. A negative significant (P < 0.01) impacts were reported of both 6 and 8 birds/m 2 groups on productive performance parameters in both breeds; additionally, theses parameters showed direct relationship with the age. Higher stocking density (8 birds/m 2 ) had been altered the differential leucocyte counts which associated with a significant (P < 0.01) increase in corticosterone and decrease in both thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) as compared to control. There was a significant (P < 0.01) high H/L ratio with Black Baladi as compared to White Nicholas. White Nicholas breed reared in 8 birds/m 2 as compared to the other 2 White Nicholas groups showed a significant (P<0.01) increase in H/L ratio with corticosterone hormone level. On the other hand, Black Baladi breed showed a significant increase in corticosterone hormone level at 8 birds/m 2 followed by 6 birds/m 2 . White breed at 8 birds/m 2 showed a significant decrease in both T3 and T4 as compared to their control, on the other hand, Black Baladi reared in 8 birds/m 2 showed a significant decrease in T4.

Authors and Affiliations