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Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, Vol. 83 No. 2, 2018.

Original scientific paper

Physiological Adaptation of Sasso Laying Hens to the Hot-Dry Tropical Conditions

Abdulmojeed Yakubu orcid id orcid.org/ORCID ; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, P.M.B. 135, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel I. Epko orcid id orcid.org/ORCID ; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Shabu-Lafia Campus, P.M.B. 135, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.
Oluwabiyi I.A. Oluremi orcid id orcid.org/ORCID ; Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

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Abstract

The study aimed at evaluating the adaptive physiological capacity of Sasso laying hens in a hot-dry environment. Fifty four randomly selected 30-week old Sasso layers were each kept on deep litter and in battery cages. General Linear Model was used to determine the fixed housing system and age (42 and 52 weeks old, respectively) effects including their interaction with thermo-physiological traits [rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR) and heat stress index (HSI)] while Exhaustive CHAID algorithm was used to predict HSI. Haematological and serum biochemical indices considered were subjected to T- test at 52 weeks of age. The mean environmental Temperature-Humidity index (79.92) indicated that the birds experienced thermal discomfort. Univariate analysis revealed that birds kept in battery cages appeared to be more stressed with higher mean values (P versus 142.54±0.52), RR (31.91±0.42 versus 29.94±0.41) and HSI (1.76±0.03 versus 1.85±0.03). However, age effect (PExhaustive CHAID regression revealed that HS1 could better be predicted by RR and age. While haematological parameters were not influenced (P>0.05) at 52 weeks of age, serum cholesterol and glucose were higher (P The present findings could facilitate the formulation of appropriate management strategies towards combating heat stress and aid the conservation and genetic improvement of Sasso chicken under hot-dry conditions.

Keywords

thermoregulation; Sasso; tropics; blood parameter; regression

Hrčak ID:

203018

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/203018

Publication date:

10.6.2018.

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