Abstract
A degree centigrade fall or rise in body temperature of broiler chickens is sufficient to reduce performance, alter sound physiological state and divert nutritional metabolism in quest for ensuring thermal balance. Thermoregulatory mechanisms of newly hatched chicks are poorly developed, and fluctuations in brooding temperature coupled with severe environmental temperatures in the tropics could threaten the survivability, production and economic integrity of fast-growing strains of broilers. However, information on the effect of sharp fluctuations in body temperature on nutrient intake and European production index (EPI) of broilers fed dietary electrolytes is scanty and thus investigated. Using a total of 300, one-day-old unsexed broiler chicks (Arbor Acre) that were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments (T1-210, T2-240, T3270, T4-300, T5-330 and T6-360 mEq/kg electrolyte balance), data on performance characteristics and their correlations with body temperature and EPI at prestarter, starter and finisher phases were determined using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α = 0.05. At prestarter phase, feed intake (FI) had a strong and positive relationship with protein intake (r = 1.00; p < 0.01), EPI (r = 0.96; p < 0.01) and potassium (K) intake (r = 0.66; p < 0.01), but was negatively correlated with temperature change (r = ?0.39; p < 0.05). However, FI was not significantly correlated with body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), sodium (Na) and water intake. At starter phase, EPI was positively correlated to K intake (r = 0.38; p < 0.05), but not Na and chloride (Cl) intake. European production index of starter chicks could be enhanced by increasing the level of K intake through dietary supplementation up to 1.02%. Weight gain was adversely affected by sharp changes in temperature at finisher phase. Increase in water intake may not be a remedial tool in lowering sharp fluctuations in body temperature. However, sharp fluctuation in body temperature of broilers was reduced with DEB of 330, 270 and 240 mEq/kg at prestarter, starter and finisher phases, respectively.
Highlights
Rectal temperature has been a good indicator of body temperature of birds as it is the body temperature measured per rectum and it is accurate for measuring internal body temperature
European production index of starter chicks could be enhanced by increasing the level of K intake through dietary supplementation up to 1.02%
Sharp fluctuation in body temperature of broilers was reduced with DEB of 330, 270 and 240 mEq/kg at prestarter, starter and finisher phases, respectively
Summary
Rectal temperature has been a good indicator of body temperature of birds as it is the body temperature measured per rectum and it is accurate for measuring internal body temperature. The author noted further that the crucial temperature for poultry is 30 ̊C, because birds are still able to compensate for energy loss caused by lower feed intake through a relatively better feed conversion ratio and lowered basal metabolic rate. According to Borges et al (2003) [5], newly hatched chicks have body temperatures approximately 2.5 ̊C below that of the adult bird, and it takes about a week post-hatch before the adult body temperature can be reached. This increase is related to feather cover and the increase in metabolic activities associated with growth. Borges et al (2003) [5] stated that the use of dietary electrolytes could enhance broiler performance under heat stress, and noted
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