Effect of classical music on growth performance, stress level, antioxidant index, immune function and meat quality in broilers at different stocking densities

Abstract

High-stocking density is one of the factors that can easily cause oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction of broilers. Currently, music therapy has been proposed to help animals relieve stress to some extent. However, it is still unclear whether classical music can alleviate stress in broilers at high stocking densities. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the effects of classical music on growth performance, stress level, antioxidant index, immune function and meat quality of broilers under different stocking densities. A total of 540 one-day-old broilers with similar body weight were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups, with 6 replicates per group, which included two feeding environments (with/without classical music) and three stocking densities (15.5, 17.9, and 20.3 birds/m2), thereby making a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. The results showed as follows: increasing stocking density decreased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain (ADG), increased feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) and mortality of broilers. Moreover, increased density resulted in an increase in serum corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. Increasing stocking density decreased spleen and bursal indices, serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels. Increasing stocking density elevated serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities. Increasing stocking density decreased serum total protein (TP) levels and increased total cholesterol (TC) and glucose (GLU) levels. Additionally, increasing stocking density decreased the cooking liss of pectoralis and increased the L*24h value of pectoralis. Meanwhile, playing classical music for broilers increased their ADG and decreased F/G, and decreased serum CORT, ACTH, GLU content. In addition, the bursa of Fabricius index, serum IgA and IgG contents as well as the a*24h value of pectoralis was increased under the music therapy. In conclusion, high-stocking density (20.3 birds/m2) harmed the growth performance and health of broilers, and the classical music stimulus ameliorated the negative effects to some extent.

The Effect of High Stocking Density and Dietary Protein Levels on Blood Profiles, Intestinal Bacteria, Some Immunological Parameters, Status Antioxidant, and Performance in Native Chickens

“…The current study's findings are consistent with those reported by Ha et al (2021) in native Korean broiler chickens, as different stocking densities do not influence MDA activity. However, this differs from the results of a previous study by Gao et al (2023), which reported that different stocking densities influence MDA activity in broiler chickens; the higher the stocking density, the higher the MDA content. Food proteins have a more significant thermogenic effect than carbohydrates, and a high-protein diet lowers body temperature and mortality but does not improve broiler growth (Teyssier et al, 2022).…”

Music and Emotions in Non-Human Animals from Biological and Comparative Perspectives

“…In chicks, classical music was beneficial, presenting relatively low cortisol concentrations as a function of dB level, whereas exposure to noise reduced comforting and grooming behavior, impaired learning ability, and increased fear responses [96]. In broilers, classical music ameliorated the negative effects of high stocking densities [133]. In mice, white noise had detrimental effects on gut microbiota, antioxidant activity, and immunity, although music was potentially beneficial [90].…”