291 types of housing system were studied. The housing systems used were (a) BEC plastic battery cages with 5 birds to a cage, (b) the experimental Elson Terrace system, (c) a littered perchery. Birds were housed at 18-19 weeks old and activity levels were recorded after 50 weeks of age. Flying only occurred within the perchery and wing flapping only occurred within the perchery and the terrace. The median numbers of locomotor steps taken within the perchery, terrace and cages were 208.2, 1058.3 and 72.0, respectively. The humeri of perchery birds were stronger than those of terrace birds, which in turn were stronger than those of caged birds. The tibia of terrace birds were stronger than those of caged birds. There were no differences in the lengths of bones from different systems. Caged birds exercised the least and had the weakest bones. The results suggest that the exercise taken by the caged hens was insufficient to prevent bone degeneration. Salivary Cortisol in Pigs after Adrenocorticotrophin, Food and Water Deprivation, Handling, Transport Simulation and Mixing R.F. PARROTT, B.H. MISSON and B.A. BALDWIN IAPGR., Cambridge Research Station, Babraham Hall, Cambridge CB2 4AT (Gt. Britain) ABSTRACT The effects of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) on saliva and plasma levels of cortisol were mea- sured by radioimmunoassay in prepubertal pigs living in metabolism cages and surgically prepared with venous catheters. Salivary cortisol concentrations were 10% of those in plasma and increased by ~ 130% following maximal stimulation with ACTH. Saliva was also collected from two groups of pigs (N= 5 per group ) living in pens. Samples were taken after various stress procedures (24 h food and water deprivation, handling, 60 min transport simulation or mixing) and following maximal stimulation with ACTH. All of these stressors increased salivary cortisol, but the highest levels ( ---A CTH: 3 nmol l- 1 ) were seen following aggression induced by mixing and after transport simulation in food- and water-deprived animals. The results indicate that salivary cortisol esti- mation may be useful for assessing the welfare of intensively housed pigs. Characterisation of the Broiler Transport Environment and Associated Physiological Consequences M.A. MITCHELL 1, P. KETTLEWELL 2, K. ALDRED 1 and A. MEEHAN 2 IAFRC Institute for Grassland and Animal Production, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS (Gt. Britain) 2AFRC Institute for Engineering Research, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS (Gt. Britain)

Salivary cortisol in pigs after adrenocorticotrophin, food and water deprivation, handling, transport simulation and mixing

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Page 1: Salivary cortisol in pigs after adrenocorticotrophin, food and water deprivation, handling, transport simulation and mixing

291

types of housing system were studied. The housing systems used were (a) BEC plastic battery cages with 5 birds to a cage, (b) the experimental Elson Terrace system, (c) a littered perchery. Birds were housed at 18-19 weeks old and activity levels were recorded after 50 weeks of age. Flying only occurred within the perchery and wing flapping only occurred within the perchery and the terrace. The median numbers of locomotor steps taken within the perchery, terrace and cages were 208.2, 1058.3 and 72.0, respectively. The humeri of perchery birds were stronger than those of terrace birds, which in turn were stronger than those of caged birds. The tibia of terrace birds were stronger than those of caged birds. There were no differences in the lengths of bones from different systems. Caged birds exercised the least and had the weakest bones. The results suggest that the exercise taken by the caged hens was insufficient to prevent bone degeneration.

Salivary Cortisol in Pigs after Adrenocorticotrophin, Food and Water Deprivation, Handling, Transport Simulation and Mixing

R.F. PARROTT, B.H. MISSON and B.A. BALDWIN

IAPGR., Cambridge Research Station, Babraham Hall, Cambridge CB2 4AT (Gt. Britain)

ABSTRACT

The effects of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) on saliva and plasma levels of cortisol were mea- sured by radioimmunoassay in prepubertal pigs living in metabolism cages and surgically prepared with venous catheters. Salivary cortisol concentrations were 10% of those in plasma and increased by ~ 130% following maximal stimulation with ACTH. Saliva was also collected from two groups of pigs ( N = 5 per group ) living in pens. Samples were taken after various stress procedures (24 h food and water deprivation, handling, 60 min transport simulation or mixing) and following maximal stimulation with ACTH. All of these stressors increased salivary cortisol, but the highest levels ( ---A CTH: 3 nmol l - 1 ) were seen following aggression induced by mixing and after transport simulation in food- and water-deprived animals. The results indicate that salivary cortisol esti- mation may be useful for assessing the welfare of intensively housed pigs.

Characterisation of the Broiler Transport Environment and Associated Physiological Consequences

M.A. M I T C H E L L 1, P. K E T T L E W E L L 2, K. ALDRED 1 and A. M E E H A N 2

IAFRC Institute for Grassland and Animal Production, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS (Gt. Britain) 2AFRC Institute for Engineering Research, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS (Gt. Britain)