Abstract
The aims of this study were to determine the modulating role of ascorbic acid (AA) on rectal temperature (RT), heterophil to lymphocyte (H to L) ratio and aberrant behaviours of ostrich chicks transported by road for 4 h during hot-dry conditions. Twenty ostrich chicks aged 2.5 months, of both sexes and belonging to the Red Neck breed, served as subjects of the study. The chicks were assigned randomly to AA-treated and control groups, consisting of 10 chicks each. The AA-treated group was administered orally with 100 mg/kg body weight of AA dissolved in 5 mL of sterile water 30 min before transportation, whilst the control group was given the equivalent of sterile water only. The thermal load (TL) experienced in the vehicle during transportation fluctuated between 31 °C and 89 °C, as calculated from the ambient temperature and relative humidity. Transportation induced hyperthermia, lymphopenia, heterophilia and aberrant behaviours of pecking, wing fluffing and panting, which were ameliorated by AA administration. The relationships between the TL, journey duration and physiological variables of RT, H to L ratio and aberrant behaviours recorded during transportation were significantly and positively correlated in the control group. In AA-treated group the relationships were not significantly correlated. In conclusion, the results showed for the first time that AA ameliorated the adverse effects of stress caused by road transportation on the aberrant behaviours, RT and H to L ratio of ostrich chicks during the hot-dry season.
Highlights
Transportation of animals is known to induce both psychological and physiological stress and stress-induced behavioural changes may result in accompanying major physiological disturbances such as aberrant behaviours, immune-suppression, weight loss and disruption of general homeostasis (Ayo et al 2009; Minka & Ayo 2008, 2010; Stewart 1994)
The results obtained in the present study showed that the transportation of ostrich chicks during the hot-dry season is very stressful and poses a risk to the health of the birds, findings which agreed with previous reports (Foggin 1992; Minka & Ayo 2007c, 2008; Mitchell et al 1996)
The results of the present study have demonstrated for the first time that ascorbic acid (AA) administration prior to the commencement http://www.ojvr.org of road transportation was beneficial to ostrich chicks and may be used to improve the bird’s welfare and make their transportation more economically viable
Summary
Transportation of animals is known to induce both psychological and physiological stress and stress-induced behavioural changes may result in accompanying major physiological disturbances such as aberrant behaviours, immune-suppression, weight loss and disruption of general homeostasis (Ayo et al 2009; Minka & Ayo 2008, 2010; Stewart 1994). It has been established that changes in rectal temperature (RT), heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H to L) and behavioural activities of animals, including birds, are reliable indices of stress and are often used in the development of management strategies aimed at increasing productivity. These changes are important for on-the-spot evaluation of the health status and adaptability of animals to various stress factors, including transportation stress (Ayo, Oladele & Fayomi 2002; Minka & Ayo 2007a, 2007b, 2008; Warriss et al 1993). This road transportation covers distances ranging from 200 km to over 1000 km and uses vehicles not meant for transportation of ostriches, which demonstrates little consideration for the ostriches’ welfare
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