Effect of oxygen level on ascites incidence and performance in broiler chicks.
An experiment was conducted using male Cobb x Cobb broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of two oxygen levels on the incidence of ascites, performance, and blood chemistry. Ascites occurred in the 13.6% oxygen groups on the fifth day of the experiment. Body weights and survivability were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in chicks maintained at the low oxygen level than in controls (20.6% oxygen). Hematocrits were significantly higher only in chicks with ascites at the 13.6% oxygen level. Hemoglobin was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in chicks with ascites at 13.6% oxygen than in chickens at 20.6% oxygen. Lactate dehydrogenase values were significantly higher in non-ascitic chicks maintained at 13.6% oxygen and in chicks with ascites at 20.6% oxygen than in non-ascitic chicks 20.6% oxygen.
Beker
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Animal Science Department, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA.
Vanhooser
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Teeter
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RG
D000531:Altitude; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001201:Ascites / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013696:Temperature
D010100:Oxygen