Comparative effect of vitamin complex and orange extract on physiological and blood parameters of transported pullets in humid tropics

The comparative modulating effects of synthetic and natural source of ascorbic acid (AA) were investigated on transporting pullet birds in the hot-dry season of humid tropics. Ninety-six 16 weeks Isa-brown pullets were randomly allotted in a completely randomized design into four treatments of oral vitamin supplementation 5 days before transportation i.e; T1 (ordinary water), T2 (synthetic vitamin), T3 (30% citrus-sweet orange), T4 (50% citrus-sweet orange). Birds were crated and transported for 3 hrs covering 135km at 45km/hr. Meteorological values were monitored during the journey and no mortality was recorded. The results revealed that treatments had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on measured physiological parameters [body temperature (BTC), rectal temperature (RTC), respiratory rate (RR) and panting rate (PR)], hematological parameters and measured serum biochemical parameters as compared to the control group (T1). The treatments group of orange at different inclusion ratios (T3 and T4) compared well with pullet birds on oral supplementation of synthetic vitamin (T2) and were significantly different (p < 0.05) from birds on control water treatment (T1). Birds on control (T1) had the highest values for all measured physiological parameters which were significantly different from other groups (p<0.05). Birds in the control treatment (T1) were more stressed as compared to other treatment groups, indicated by increased hematological and serum biochemical parameters except for a decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) as compared to other treatments. It can be deduced from this study that the oral supplementation of natural source of ascorbic acid (Citrus sinensis) and synthetic vitamin supplement helps to ameliorate the effect of transportation stress. Citrus sinensis extract can be a suitable alternative that is readily available for farmers and stakeholders.