Effect of low environmental temperature on performance and blood system in broiler chickens (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low environmental temperature on growth, feed conversion, performance and selected biochemical and haematological indicators in broiler chickens. The decrease in air temperature since the 22nd day of growth influenced significantly (p < 0.05) the level of total proteins, uric acid, phosphorus (in female broiler chickens), glucose (in male broiler chickens), haemoglobin (in female broiler chickens) and liver weight (in male broiler chickens). The temperature influenced significantly (p < 0.01) the level of triiodothyronine, haemoglobin (in male broiler chickens), haematocrit, abdominal fat content (in male broiler chickens), and heart weight too. The results have clearly confirmed that during growth, the decrease in environmental temperature (cold stress) negatively influenced some indices of performance and blood system in broiler chickens.