Effects of cage size on growth performance, blood biochemistry, and antibody response in layer breeder males during rearing stage

Effect of a Large-sized Cage with a Low Metabolizable Energy and Low Crude Protein Diet on Growth Performance, Feed Cost, and Blood Parameters of Growing Layers

“…GSH, an important intracellular antioxidant, plays a vital role in antioxidant defense mechanisms ( Schulz et al , 2010 ). Previous studies have stated that small space allowance reduced serum GSH-Px level but did not change the serum GSH level in Ross-308 broiler chickens ( Simsek et al , 2009) , and plasma GSH-Px levels in Jinghong layer breeder males from small cages were higher than that in those from large and middle cages ( Li et al , 2019 ). In this study, serum GSH levels were lower in the birds from Group D than in those from the other groups throughout the experiment, which did not show the superiority of large-sized cage or low-calorie diets in oxidation resistance.…”

“…The differences in various indicators among groups showed the adaptability of birds to different-sized cages. Our previous study ( Li et al , 2019 ) revealed that larger cages would provide more space for birds and promote the growth performance of Jinghong chickens. However, further studies are required to investigate the superiorities of large cage in different breeds.…”

“…Moreover, shank length and shank girth were greater in Group A than in the other groups during the late stage of the experiment (from days 84–98), which also reflected the positive effects of large cages on shank growth as the birds aged. These effects were probably due to the larger free space and increased exercise/activity of the birds in the large cages, which are conducive for growth and feed intake ( Widowski et al , 2016 ; Li et al , 2019 ). Similarly, Widowski et al (2003) found that increasing space allowance during rearing improved the body weight of pullets.…”

“…Similarly, Meng et al (2016) found that large furnished cages allowed hens to have stronger or heavier tibias than small furnished cages. Our previous study ( Li et al , 2019 ) indicated that large and medium cages were superior to small cages and were beneficial for the growth and development of birds. Therefore, increasing the space in cages could be advantageous for poultry production.…”

Genetic and Hormonal Difference between High Growth Rate Breed (Cobb Broiler chicken) and Low Growth Rate Breed (Native Fayoumi chicken)

“…These results agreed with our results as ghrelin (which is anorexigenic hormone in chicken) lower in Fayoumi than broiler chicken. In poultry, CORT is the principal glucocorticoid involved in the regulating of appetite and metabolism (Zulkifli et al, 2004;Yuan et al, 2008) , plasma level of corticosterone regulate broiler growth (Houshmand et al, 2012;Li et al, 2019). The low growth rate by corticosterone lead to increasing energy expenditure, gluconeogenesis and proteolysis (Lin et al, 2004a,b).…”