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The Response of Three Strains of Fowl to Alpha-Chloralose
The Response of Three Strains of Fowl to Alpha-Chloralose MODUPE AKANDE Institute of Agriculture Research, University oflfe, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, and J. A. OLUYEMI Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (Received for publication February 2, 1977)
INTRODUCTION As a factor affecting the performance of the domestic fowl stress has attracted considerable research interest. Ample floor, feeding, and drinking spaces, which reduce social conflict, are usually adopted, and the cage system seems to stand at an advantage over the deep litter system. However, even in the cage, some strains of fowl still display a flighty and nervous disposition. Examples are the Leghorn and especially the Nigerian indigenous fowl. Alpha-chloralose ( C 8 H U C 1 3 0 6 ) is a sugar compound of chloral hydrate which anesthetizes the cortical centers of the brain but without effect upon the medulla, a visceral center. Mixed with a suitable bait, this compound has been used to catch wild Canada geese (Branta canadensis) on which it exerts a tranquilizing effect (Crider and McDaniel, 1967). Reserpine was used, as a tranquilizer, when moving wild turkeys (Earl, 1956) and to check feather pecking in pheasants (Hewit, 1957). The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effect of alpha-chloralose on three strains of the domestic fowl, one of which is temperamentally different. MATERIALS AND METHODS White Rock, White Leghorn, and the Nigerian indigenous fowl that had been in lay for ten weeks were used. Alpha-chloralose was available in pure powdered form. In assessing the level of tolerance of this drug, a basal diet (Table 1) was replaced to 1-5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% with alpha-chloralose. Three birds, one of each breed, were assigned to each of these dietary regimes.
The complete basal diet was then replaced to levels of . 1 , .2, and .3% with alpha-chloralose. Twenty pullets of each breed were assigned to the basal diet and to each of the experimental diets. Feeding ad libitum was for sixteen weeks. Data were summarized on a weekly or biweekly basis and were statistically analyzed (Steele and Torrie, 1960). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The dietary levels of alpha-chloralose above 1% were found unsuitable for the experiment.
TABLE 1. Composition of basal diet
Ingredient
Percentage in diet
Maize Groundnut cake Fish meal Dried yeast Dicalcium phosphate Oyster shell Palm oil 'Luru' a Advit b
63.9 16.6 5.0 2.5 .5 6.0 2.5 2.5 .5
Analysis Calculated crude protein (%)
17
Dried and ground leaves of Adansonia digitata. Vitamin-mineral premix supplying the following per kg of diet: vitamin A 10,000 IU, vitamin D3 J,400 IU, riboflavin 3 mg; pantothenic acid 3 mg; niacin 10 mg; choline chloride 400 mg; vitamin B[ 2 8 meg; zinc bacitracin 10 mg; manganese 80 mg; zinc 50 mg; iodine 1.2 mg; cobalt 200 meg; copper 2 mg; and iron 25 mg.
978
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Purdue University Libraries ADMN on May 20, 2015
ABSTRACT A heavy and two light strains of pullets suffered a decline in egg production but an improvement in body weight gains when alpha-chloralose, a tranquilizer, was included in their diets at .1 to .3%. Feed efficiency also experienced a decline while egg size and Haugh unit were not affected. 1979 Poultry Science 58:978-980
RESEARCH NOTE
979
TABLE 2. The effects of alpha-chloralose on some of the economic traits of the laying fowl Percentage alpha-chloralose in diet Strain of fowl
0
.1
.2
.3
Egg production (%)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
57.6 a 64.2 a 54.3
50.ia 59.3a 46.la
47.3*b 54.5bc 37.2 C
46.7b 48.7 C 28.2^
Egg size (g)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
54.1 46.7 41.0
54.3 47.0 40.6
54.0 47.0 41.9
53.8 46.6 41.2
Haugh unit
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
77.6 78.1 75.0
77.7 78.2 76.6
78.0 78.3 74.8
79.0 79.0 76.1
Body weight gain
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
103.8 a 79.9 a 60.7 a
206.3 b 79.0 a 66.2ab
401.3 C 85.2ab 66.6ab
401.7 C 88.2 b 70.9b
Feed efficiency (Feed wt./egg)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
3.3 2.9 2.9
3.7 2.9 3.1
4.0 3.0 3.3
4.0 3.1 3.4
Mortality (No. dead birds)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
0 0 0
1 0 1
1 1 1
3 2 3
a
' ' ' Figures in the same row with different superscripts are significantly different at 5%.
Alpha-chloralose included at 15% and above resulted within minutes in a comatose sleep terminating in death for all the strains. The 5 and 10% produced a comatose sleep, accompanied with the quivering of the limbs for about 12 hr after which the birds displayed no adverse effects. The levels of 1 to 4% exerted slower but similar effects to 5 to 10% alpha-chloralose in the diet. The effects of the drug when included at low levels in layers' diets are presented in Table 2. The production of the pullets on the normal diets was relatively low; this is consistent with the results of laying experiments under tropical conditions previously reported by Ademosun and Kalango (1973) and Oluyemi and Roberts (1975). The inclusion of alpha-chloralose at low levels decreased the percentage egg production but tended to increase the weight gains of the pullets. The treatment had no significant effects on the other traits although the efficiency of feed utilization decreased with the increase in the percentage alpha-chloralose. Since egg size was not significantly (P>.05%) affected, the differences in egg production could not be attributed to egg size. Mortality tended to be increased at the higher dietary level of alpha-chloralose. The effect on body weight appears consist-
ent with that of reserpine, but not chlorpromazine, when included at low levels in the diet of chicks reported by Burger et al. (1958). These workers suggested that a moderately tranquil temperament was conducive to faster growth rate of the fowl. In this study, the weight gain of White Rock responded similarly to that of the less tranquil strains, whereas Burger et al. (1958) found that the growth rate of New Hampshire was not affected by reserpine. The reason for this slight discrepancy is not clear. However, if the implication that the tranquil temperament spares nutrient for weight gain is valid the nutrient probably could have been used also for increased egg production. In this study, the tranquilizer seemed to have accentuated the physiological negative association between body size or growth rate and egg production. REFERENCES Ademosun, A. A., and I. O. Kalango, 1973. Effect of calcium and phosphorus levels on the performance of layers in Nigeria. Poultry Sci. 52:1383-1392. Burger, R. E., N. S. Van Matre, and F. W. Lorenz, 1959. Growth and mortality of chicks and poults fed tranquili2ing drugs. Poultry Sci. 38:508—512. Crider, E. D., and J. C. McDaniel, 1967. Alpha chloralose used to capture Canada geese. The J. Wildlife Management 31(2):258-264.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Purdue University Libraries ADMN on May 20, 2015
Trait
980
AKANDE AND OLUYEMI
Earl, A. E., 1956. Reserpine (serpasil) in veterinary practice. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Ass. 129:227-233. Hewit, O. H., 1957. Experimental use of reserpine to control cannibalism among ring necked pheasants. New York Fish Game J. 4 : 2 2 8 - 2 3 3 . Oluyemi, J. A., and Y. O. Roberts, 1975. The cage
versus the deep litter system for the management of layers in the humid tropics. Poultry Sci. 54: 1982-1989. Steele, R. G. D., and J. H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Purdue University Libraries ADMN on May 20, 2015
INTRODUCTION As a factor affecting the performance of the domestic fowl stress has attracted considerable research interest. Ample floor, feeding, and drinking spaces, which reduce social conflict, are usually adopted, and the cage system seems to stand at an advantage over the deep litter system. However, even in the cage, some strains of fowl still display a flighty and nervous disposition. Examples are the Leghorn and especially the Nigerian indigenous fowl. Alpha-chloralose ( C 8 H U C 1 3 0 6 ) is a sugar compound of chloral hydrate which anesthetizes the cortical centers of the brain but without effect upon the medulla, a visceral center. Mixed with a suitable bait, this compound has been used to catch wild Canada geese (Branta canadensis) on which it exerts a tranquilizing effect (Crider and McDaniel, 1967). Reserpine was used, as a tranquilizer, when moving wild turkeys (Earl, 1956) and to check feather pecking in pheasants (Hewit, 1957). The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effect of alpha-chloralose on three strains of the domestic fowl, one of which is temperamentally different. MATERIALS AND METHODS White Rock, White Leghorn, and the Nigerian indigenous fowl that had been in lay for ten weeks were used. Alpha-chloralose was available in pure powdered form. In assessing the level of tolerance of this drug, a basal diet (Table 1) was replaced to 1-5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% with alpha-chloralose. Three birds, one of each breed, were assigned to each of these dietary regimes.
The complete basal diet was then replaced to levels of . 1 , .2, and .3% with alpha-chloralose. Twenty pullets of each breed were assigned to the basal diet and to each of the experimental diets. Feeding ad libitum was for sixteen weeks. Data were summarized on a weekly or biweekly basis and were statistically analyzed (Steele and Torrie, 1960). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The dietary levels of alpha-chloralose above 1% were found unsuitable for the experiment.
TABLE 1. Composition of basal diet
Ingredient
Percentage in diet
Maize Groundnut cake Fish meal Dried yeast Dicalcium phosphate Oyster shell Palm oil 'Luru' a Advit b
63.9 16.6 5.0 2.5 .5 6.0 2.5 2.5 .5
Analysis Calculated crude protein (%)
17
Dried and ground leaves of Adansonia digitata. Vitamin-mineral premix supplying the following per kg of diet: vitamin A 10,000 IU, vitamin D3 J,400 IU, riboflavin 3 mg; pantothenic acid 3 mg; niacin 10 mg; choline chloride 400 mg; vitamin B[ 2 8 meg; zinc bacitracin 10 mg; manganese 80 mg; zinc 50 mg; iodine 1.2 mg; cobalt 200 meg; copper 2 mg; and iron 25 mg.
978
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Purdue University Libraries ADMN on May 20, 2015
ABSTRACT A heavy and two light strains of pullets suffered a decline in egg production but an improvement in body weight gains when alpha-chloralose, a tranquilizer, was included in their diets at .1 to .3%. Feed efficiency also experienced a decline while egg size and Haugh unit were not affected. 1979 Poultry Science 58:978-980
RESEARCH NOTE
979
TABLE 2. The effects of alpha-chloralose on some of the economic traits of the laying fowl Percentage alpha-chloralose in diet Strain of fowl
0
.1
.2
.3
Egg production (%)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
57.6 a 64.2 a 54.3
50.ia 59.3a 46.la
47.3*b 54.5bc 37.2 C
46.7b 48.7 C 28.2^
Egg size (g)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
54.1 46.7 41.0
54.3 47.0 40.6
54.0 47.0 41.9
53.8 46.6 41.2
Haugh unit
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
77.6 78.1 75.0
77.7 78.2 76.6
78.0 78.3 74.8
79.0 79.0 76.1
Body weight gain
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
103.8 a 79.9 a 60.7 a
206.3 b 79.0 a 66.2ab
401.3 C 85.2ab 66.6ab
401.7 C 88.2 b 70.9b
Feed efficiency (Feed wt./egg)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
3.3 2.9 2.9
3.7 2.9 3.1
4.0 3.0 3.3
4.0 3.1 3.4
Mortality (No. dead birds)
White Rock White Leghorn Nigerian fowl
0 0 0
1 0 1
1 1 1
3 2 3
a
' ' ' Figures in the same row with different superscripts are significantly different at 5%.
Alpha-chloralose included at 15% and above resulted within minutes in a comatose sleep terminating in death for all the strains. The 5 and 10% produced a comatose sleep, accompanied with the quivering of the limbs for about 12 hr after which the birds displayed no adverse effects. The levels of 1 to 4% exerted slower but similar effects to 5 to 10% alpha-chloralose in the diet. The effects of the drug when included at low levels in layers' diets are presented in Table 2. The production of the pullets on the normal diets was relatively low; this is consistent with the results of laying experiments under tropical conditions previously reported by Ademosun and Kalango (1973) and Oluyemi and Roberts (1975). The inclusion of alpha-chloralose at low levels decreased the percentage egg production but tended to increase the weight gains of the pullets. The treatment had no significant effects on the other traits although the efficiency of feed utilization decreased with the increase in the percentage alpha-chloralose. Since egg size was not significantly (P>.05%) affected, the differences in egg production could not be attributed to egg size. Mortality tended to be increased at the higher dietary level of alpha-chloralose. The effect on body weight appears consist-
ent with that of reserpine, but not chlorpromazine, when included at low levels in the diet of chicks reported by Burger et al. (1958). These workers suggested that a moderately tranquil temperament was conducive to faster growth rate of the fowl. In this study, the weight gain of White Rock responded similarly to that of the less tranquil strains, whereas Burger et al. (1958) found that the growth rate of New Hampshire was not affected by reserpine. The reason for this slight discrepancy is not clear. However, if the implication that the tranquil temperament spares nutrient for weight gain is valid the nutrient probably could have been used also for increased egg production. In this study, the tranquilizer seemed to have accentuated the physiological negative association between body size or growth rate and egg production. REFERENCES Ademosun, A. A., and I. O. Kalango, 1973. Effect of calcium and phosphorus levels on the performance of layers in Nigeria. Poultry Sci. 52:1383-1392. Burger, R. E., N. S. Van Matre, and F. W. Lorenz, 1959. Growth and mortality of chicks and poults fed tranquili2ing drugs. Poultry Sci. 38:508—512. Crider, E. D., and J. C. McDaniel, 1967. Alpha chloralose used to capture Canada geese. The J. Wildlife Management 31(2):258-264.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Purdue University Libraries ADMN on May 20, 2015
Trait
980
AKANDE AND OLUYEMI
Earl, A. E., 1956. Reserpine (serpasil) in veterinary practice. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Ass. 129:227-233. Hewit, O. H., 1957. Experimental use of reserpine to control cannibalism among ring necked pheasants. New York Fish Game J. 4 : 2 2 8 - 2 3 3 . Oluyemi, J. A., and Y. O. Roberts, 1975. The cage
versus the deep litter system for the management of layers in the humid tropics. Poultry Sci. 54: 1982-1989. Steele, R. G. D., and J. H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Purdue University Libraries ADMN on May 20, 2015