Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology
https://jabbnet.com/article/doi/10.31893/jabb.22027
Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology
Research Article Open Access

Stress and fear responses of slow-growing broiler chickens to light stimulation initiated at different phases of embryonic development

Oluwadamilola Moyin Oso, Kossi Metowogo, Benjamin Adjei Mensah, Oyegunle Emmanuel Oke, Kokou Tona

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Abstract

Photo-incubation can influence the fear and stress responses of poultry. However, it is unclear how photo-stimulation initiated at different phases of development influences the welfare status of slow-growing broiler birds. 500 Sasso eggs were assigned to 4 treatments; some were incubated in the dark throughout incubation (TA), while TB, TC and TD were photo-stimulated (12L:12D) from days 1, 7, and 14 of incubation, respectively, until hatch using a 6,500k LED at 788 clux intensity. Birds were raised in 5 replicates per treatment with 16 birds per replicate using a 6,500k LED (at 28 clux) and a photoperiod of 16L:8D. Fear (emergence, tonic immobility, isolation and inversion tests) and stress response (physical asymmetry) of 10 birds per treatment were examined. At the end of the three-week brooding, all parameters measured were not significantly influenced (P > 0.05) by the onset of photo-incubation. At slaughter age (12 weeks), physical asymmetry was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TA compared to the other treatments. The frequency of isolation vocalisation was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in TB compared to TA, and latency to rightness during tonic immobility was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TA compared to the other treatments. Latency to emerge was significantly longer (P < 0.05) in TA compared to TC and TD. The frequency of wing flaps during inversion was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TA and TD. Conclusively, photo-incubating eggs reduce stress and fear, and initiating photo-incubation during the first phase of incubation is more beneficial.

Keywords

incubation, light, welfare

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Submitted date:
04/30/2022

Reviewed date:
06/11/2022

Accepted date:
06/13/2022

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