Influence of Dietary Zinc Supplementation on Turkey Welfare During the Hot Summer Period. I. Behavioural Aspects
2010
Bozakova, N., Thracian University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria)
One of the ways to reduce heat stress in birds during the hottest period of the year is dietary zinc supplementation. The most accurate criterion of welfare assessing in the birds is their behaviour. The purpose of this study was to trace the influence of a 35 mg/kg zinc supplement - Zinteral 35 containing 35% zinc on the behaviour of female turkey breeders during a thermoneutral and hot summer period with regard to their welfare improvement. Ethological studies were carried out for 12 hours during four consecutive days by video recording. The number of birds exhibiting ingestive - water and food intake, gregarious - lying, standing, walking, egg-laying, dust bathing and feather cleaning, sexual and aggressive behaviour was determined. During the hot summer period there was a significant increase in drinking turkey breeders - Р0.01 and decreased number of birds exhibiting egg laying Р0.01, feather cleaning - Р0.01, dust bathing - Р0.01 and sexual behaviour - Р0.01. The feed supplementation with 35 mg Zn/kg - Zinteral 35 to the test group improved the welfare of female turkey breeders during the hot summer period, manifested by an increased number of egg laying birds - Р0.01, more frequent occurrence of feather cleaning Р0.01, dustbathing - Р0.05 and normalization of the sexual behaviour.
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