Physiological Responses and Blood Profile of Broiler Chicken Supplemented with Dragon Fruit Peel Subjected to Transportation Stress

Physiological Responses and Blood Profile of Broiler Chicken Supplemented with Dragon Fruit Peel Subjected to Transportation Stress Nurmeiliasari, Yosi Fenita, Een Zitriyani, Fitrianti Firdaus Animal Science Departement, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Bengkulu Jl. WR. Supratman, Kelurahan Kandang Limun, Kecamatan Muara Bangkahulu, Bengkulu, Sumatera, Indonesia 38371 Corresponding author : sari_nurmeiliasari@unib.ac.id Measurements  on physiological responses and blood profile in 60 broiler chickens were conducted to evaluate the effect of dragon fruit peel supplementations against three-hour road transportation stress. Broiler chickens aged 35 days were distributed into four treatment groups based on levels of dragon fruit peel supplementation (0 g per head ; 2.43g per head; 3.64g per head and 4.86 g/head). The birds were loaded into plastic crates and transported for three hours.  After a – three hour road transportation, the chickens were unloaded to measure respiration rate, rectal temperature and body weight loss. Blood samples were collected  for changes in selected haematological parameters.  Respiration rates and rectal temperatures were monitored before and after transportation process. The broilers were weighed before and after transportation. During transportation, the temperature and humidity were ranging from 33,55 – 35,6 ˚C and 60,25 – 64 %, respectively. There were no significant effects of dragon fruit peel supplementation on physiological responses and weight loss. The number of leukocytes and erythrocytes were not different from those of control broilers.  Similarly, levels of haemoglobin and hematocrit values were not affected by supplementation of dragon fruit peel. Measurements of leukocyte differentiation showed insignificant different; thus, the supplementation did not affect ratio of heterophyl : lymphocyte of broilers.  In conclusion, supplementation of dargon fruit peel did not affect physiological responses and blood profile of broiler chicken subjected to transportation stress. Key words: broiler chicken, dragon fruit peel, .transportation, physiological response, blood profile