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Poult Sci

Title:		Are thirty-five days enough to observe the stress-reducing effect of a semiochemical analogue on chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) housed under high density?
Author(s):		Madec I; Gabarrou J; Guillaumey D; Lecuelle C; Bougrat L; Pageat P;
Address:		"Pherosynthese, Le Rieu Neuf, 84490 St Saturnin Les Apt, France. imadec@pherosythese.com"
Journal Title:		Poult Sci
Year:		2008
Volume:		87
Issue:		2
Page Number:		222 - 225
DOI:		10.3382/ps.2007-00006
ISSN/ISBN:		0032-5791 (Print) 0032-5791 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Two similar 400-m2 buildings, each housing 8,400 broilers of a commonly used industrial strain, were used to test the effectiveness of the semiochemical treatment known as mother hen uropygial secretion analogue (MHUSA). The birds in 1 building were exposed to MHUSA continuously during a 35-d growing period, whereas those in the other building received a placebo. The experiment was then repeated using precisely the same conditions but with the building treatment reversed to control for any building effect. The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the effect of MHUSA on growing performances (live weights) and stress indicators observed from blood samples: heterophil-lymphocyte ratio and corticosterone level. Data analysis (ANOVA) showed that MHUSA-treated broilers had a higher mean growth rate, as shown by increased live weights at both d 17 and 35 (P < or = 0.001 and P < or = 0.001, respectively). After the 35-d growing period, we observed both lower heterophil-lymphocyte ratio (P < or = 0.001) and lower corticosterone level (P < or = 0.05) for birds treated with MHUSA compared with placebo, further indicating that the birds were less stressed. We conclude that constant diffusion of MHUSA in buildings used to house broilers might enhance the welfare and growth of the bird by reducing stress"
Keywords:		"*Animal Husbandry Animals *Chickens Female *Housing, Animal Male Pheromones/*pharmacology/therapeutic use Poultry Diseases/*drug therapy Stress, Physiological/*drug therapy Time Factors;"
Notes:		"MedlineMadec, I Gabarrou, J Guillaumey, D Lecuelle, C Bougrat, L Pageat, P eng Controlled Clinical Trial England 2008/01/24 Poult Sci. 2008 Feb; 87(2):222-5. doi: 10.3382/ps.2007-00006"