Packed cell volume reference intervals to aid in the diagnosis of anemia and polycythemia in young broiler chickens.
Packed cell volume (PCV) reference intervals were established for use in diagnosing anemia and polycythemia in young broiler chickens. Blood samples were collected from one hundred twenty 3-to-49-day-old clinically healthy conventionally reared broiler chickens. PCVs were determined and analyzed. PCVs regressed significantly (P less than 0.025) on age, which shows that neonatal physiologic anemia occurs in broiler chickens, as well as in mammals and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. The definition for anemia in broiler chicks varies with age. We defined anemia as a PCV less than or equal to 26%, 29%, 33%, 32%, 33%, 33%, 31%, and 28% for broiler chickens, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 days old, respectively. We define polycythemia as a PCV greater than or equal to 42%, 43%, 41%, 40%, 42%, 42%, 41%, and 40% for broiler chickens 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 days old, respectively. Otherwise, broiler chickens have PCVs within established reference intervals. Results provide guidelines for detecting anemia and polycythemia in young broiler chickens of various ages.
Goodwin
M A
MA
Georgia Poultry Laboratory, Oakwood 30566.
Davis
J F
JF
Brown
J
J
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000097:blood*; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary*; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis