ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of different stressors on laying rate and
selected blood indices in reproductive ducks
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1
Department of Poultry Breeding, Agricultural University,
Wołyńska 33, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
2
Department of Waterfowl Breeding,
Research Institute of Animal Production,
Dworzyska, 62-035 Kornik, Poland
3
Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry,
Agricultural University,
Wołyńska 35, 60-637 Poznań, Poland
Publication date: 1999-01-02
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 1999;8(1):63-72
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The influence of some stressors on laying rate and selected haematological indices, and the corticosterone level in duck blood were studied. The experiment was carried out in the reproductive season
(April - July) on 84 of Peking ducks. One control and three experimental groups were formed. All
ducks were fed standard complete diets ad libitum for 8 weeks. In the 9th week, blood samples were
taken from birds and the following stress factors were introduced: in group II - restricted feeding (70 g
of feed per bird per day) for a period of one week, in group III - addition of 20 g NaCl/kg during a
period of one week, in group IV - withdrawal of water for two days. In the 10th week, blood samples
were taken from ducks and during the next 5 weeks, all four groups were fed the standard diet ad
libitum. The following parameters were estimated in blood: haemoglobin, haematocrit, red and white
cell counts (proportion of granulocytes and agranulocytes) and corticosterone level. During the entire
period of the experiment (14 weeks), the number of eggs laid in groups was recorded daily.
Substantial decreases in the laying rate in group II (restricted feeding) and in group IV (lack of
access to water) were noted. Most haematological indices in duck groups did not differ significantly.
In group IV, a significant increase of the heterophil:lymphocyte ratio /HLR/ from 0.74 to 2.63 was
noted, as well as the highest level of corticosterone in blood in comparison with the control and
feed-restricted groups.
It can be concluded that the restriction of feed exerted the highest and longest negative influence
on the laying rate of ducks. Also, the two-day lack of access to water was found to have been very
stressful to ducks. The 20 g of NaCl per kg added to the diet had little influence on the laying rate
and also on the value of HLR.
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