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OJVRTM
Online Journal of
Veterinary Research©
(Including Medical and Laboratory Research)
Established 1994
ISSN 1328-925X
Volume 25
(11):763-769, 2021.
Behavior,
physiology, hematology, cortisol and tonic mobility tests in Pekin ducks after
transport stress.
TM Mousa-Balabel and RA
Mohamed.
Dept. of Hygiene and Preventive
Med., Fac. of Vet. Med., Kafr EL-Sheikh
Univ., Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
ABSTRACT
Mousa-Balabel TM, Mohamed
RA., Behavior, physiology, hematology, cortisol and tonic mobility tests in
Pekin ducks after transport stress, Onl J Vet Res., 25 (11):763-769, 2021. We report physiological and
behavioral responses to transport stress in 210 Pekin ducks aged ~4 months
weighing ~2.3 kg. Groups of 10 ducks each held in 18 crates were
transported 50 or 100km at 26±2°C, 76% RH at 60 km/h and upon arrival either
rested 1h or given 1g Vitamin C in drinking water. Results were recorded upon
arrival or 24h later. Controls were not transported. By truck transport, and compared with controls (P < 0.05), we found
reduced feeding (-24%) at arrival and by 24h (-6%), water intake increased
11-16%, preening declined 38-54%, rest time increased 3 to 6 fold, distress
cries 34 to 40 fold, tonic mobility time 61-68% and death 3-6%. However, in
ducks rested 1h or given vitamin C upon arrival we found no effect by 24h on
any measurement. Plasma cortisol increased 13-18% and lymphocytes ~16% but we
found no effect in ducks rested 1h or given vitamin C by 24h. We find that
resting ducks in a dark quiet place or given Vitamin C in drinking water after
transport may reduce transport stress.
Keywords:
Ducks, transport, stress, tonicity, cortisol.
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