Variation in hematological, biochemical parameters and physiological adaptation of cockerel strains to transportation density in a hot tropical environment

One hundred and eight 8 weeks old Harco (black) and Nera (white) cockerel strains were randomly allotted in 2 x 3 factorial design experiment to investigate the response of cockerel strains transported at different densities in hot humid ecological zone of Nigeria. Birds were transported in two ventilated wooden cages with a motorbike on a rough road at 30 km/hr for 2 hours at three densities [Low density (LD) = 0.86 m2, Medium density (MD) = 0.64 m2, and High density (HD) = 0.48 m2] and each replicated three times. Blood samples were collected pre and post transportation. Physiological indices {respiratory rate (RR), panting rate (PR), skin temperature (ST) and rectal temperature (RT)} were measured post-transportation. There was (p MD > HD}. Total white blood cell (WBC), alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartarte amino transferase (AST), total protein (TP), and glucose had (p MD > LD}. Harco strain had higher values as compared to white strain birds. In conclusion, this study showed that transportation and density affected both strains of birds. White strain birds are relatively resistance to transportation stress as compared to Harco strain.