The effect of transport distance on selected biochemical parameters (corticosterone, uric acid, triglycerides, total protein, glucose, and lactate) under various ambient temperatures was monitored in a group of unsexed Ross 308 broilers aged 42 d. Broilers were transported to the slaughterhouse over 3 different travel distances (10, 70, and 130 km). They were sampled before and after each transportation in 3 various periods with different ambient temperatures (-5 to +5°C, 10 to 20°C, and 25 to 35°C), which approximately correspond to temperature conditions during transport in individual seasons of the year (winter, fall, summer). The changes in biochemical parameters were specific in their dependence on the travel distance and the ambient temperature under which the broilers were transported. The highest corticosterone concentration was found in broilers before transport (i.e., immediately after catching, crating, and loading) at all ambient temperatures. The concentration of corticosterone was higher at winter temperatures than at summer and fall temperatures. Triglycerides decreased with travel distance, although this effect was detected under summer temperatures only. The concentration of total protein was higher only after 10 km of transport and then it decreased with travel distance at all monitored ambient temperatures. A highly significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the glucose level of broilers was observed after 130 km of transport when compared with broilers before transport at fall and winter temperatures. The effect of travel distance on lactate concentrations was the same at all monitored ambient temperatures, with the lactate level decreasing with travel distance. The results obtained indicate that pretransport handling procedures (catching, crating, and loading) may be more stressful for broilers than the transport itself. To improve broiler meat quality, it is necessary to meet the need for broilers to recover before being slaughtered. With regard to different seasons of the year, we can assume that transport under conditions of low ambient temperatures in winter represents a more stressful event than transport during fall and summer.

Stress effects from acute noise exposure were monitored in a group of ROSS 308 broiler chickens (n = 80), aged 42 days. The experiment simulated slaughterhouse sounds to which the broilers were exposed for 10 min in the test enclosure. Effects of acute noise exposure at two different levels (80 dB and 100 dB) were evaluated on the basis of examinations of selected biochemical plasma indicators and tonic immobility tests. Noise stimuli of both 80 dB and 100 dB intensities for 10 min induced a significant elevation in plasma corticosterone levels. Broilers that were exposed to noise stimuli of 100 dB also exhibited a significant increase in the cholesterol level and total protein level. Exposure to noise stimuli did not influence the glucose level and triglyceride concentrations. The duration of tonic immobility was not affected by noise stimuli in our experiment. However, noise exposure at a 100 dB level decreased the number of attempts to induce tonic immobility in broilers.

Two experiments were conducted to assess the stress response of broilers to catching and pretransport handling followed by different periods of crating. The short-term changes in selected biochemical indices were monitored at 1-min intervals within 10 min of crating after the catching and handling of broilers (experiment 1). These indices were further monitored at 15-min intervals for 2 h of crating after the catching and handling of broilers (experiment 2). Increased (P < 0.001) corticosterone concentrations were observed immediately after the broilers were caught, handled, and placed in crates. They continued to increase until 7 min after crating and then slowly decreased, but even at 120 min after handling, corticosterone concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) in crated broilers than in control broilers. In addition, lactate concentrations increased (P < 0.001) immediately in comparison with those of broilers with no additional handling except for catching and blood sampling, but 15 min later, the lactate concentrations had decreased to the precrating level. Lactate dehydrogenase concentrations increased (P = 0.042) 30 min after crating and continued to increase for the rest of the monitored period. A decreased level of cholesterol (P = 0.017) and increased concentration of uric acid (P = 0.041) were found 1 min after crating. The decrease in cholesterol was visible up to 9 min after crating; it then returned to its original value except for the period from 75 to 90 min after crating, when a decrease (P < 0.05) was again detected. Higher (P < 0.01) concentrations of uric acid were found continuously from 4 to 75 min after crating. Glucose concentrations were increased (P = 0.017) 2 min after crating, but the stress-induced increase was not consistent over the course of the next few minutes after crating. Glucose concentrations were not different from those of control broilers from 10 to 120 min after crating, although they showed a decreasing pattern. A decrease (P = 0.031) in triglyceride concentrations was detected 75 min after crating.

The effects of varying periods of pre-sampling handling (1.5 min, 3 min, 4.5 min, 6 min) on selected biochemical indices were monitored in a group of 8-9-month-old common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) kept at a pheasantry in Jinačovice, Czech Republic. The duration of pheasant handling (capture, restraint, and blood sampling) was positively correlated with plasma corticosterone (p < 0.001) and lactate (p < 0.05) levels. Negative correlations were found between the handling duration and glucose concentration (p < 0.01), and aspartate aminotransferase level (p < 0.05) in the blood plasma. A significant increase in corticosterone plasma concentrations and a decrease in glucose plasma concentrations were already found in blood samples taken after 3 min of capture in comparison to blood samples of pheasants taken within 1.5 min.

The development of selected haematological and biochemical parameters during the laying period was monitored in common pheasant hens housed in an enhanced cage system. The cages were enhanced by the addition of two perches and a shelter formed by strips of cloth hanging in the corner of the cage. The results showed significant changes in the haematological and biochemical parameters monitored during egg laying. At the time when laying capacity approached a maximum, a decrease was observed (P < 0.05) in haematocrit, erythrocytes, and haemoglobin values, whereas monocytes, eosinophils, the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, phosphorus, and calcium exhibited an increase (P < 0.05). At the end of the laying period, an increase (P < 0.05) was recorded in the count of leukocytes, heterophils, lymphocytes and basophils, the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, cholesterol, phosphorus, and calcium, whereas lower values (P < 0.05) were recorded for haematocrit and plasma total protein in comparison with the values of the indicators at the beginning of the laying period. The results provide new information about dynamic changes in selected haematological and biochemical parameters in clinically healthy common pheasant hens during the laying period.