The effects of crating and road transportation on stress and fear responses of broiler chickens treated with ascorbic acid

Heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (HLR) and tonic imobility durations were determ ined in broiler chickens which were pre-treated for 24 h with either 0 ppm (control or 1200 ppm L-ascorbic acid in their drinking water. The birds wer e subsequently left undisturbed in their home cages (CTRL), crated and left stationary for 40 min (CO) or crated and transported for 40 min in an open truck (CT). Irrespective of pre-slaughter treatment, AA-supplemented birds had smaller HLR values (20 h following pre-slaughter treatment) and shorte r TI durations. Significant effect of pre-slaughtering process on HLR and T I duration was evident with CT > CO > CTRL. While the number of inductions to induce TI was not affected by water treatment, the CT and CO birds were more susceptible to TI than their CTRL counterparts.