Effect of vitamin C supplementation in stressed broilers

A study was conducted to assess the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation on the various physiological parameters of overcrowded (348cm²/bird as against 696cm²/bird) broiler chicken in summer season. Four week old broiler chicks (vencob strain) were used for the study and birds were subjected to stress from four to eight weeks of age. Overcrowding stress and vitamin C supplementation (0.03% in feed) in overcrowded birds did not produce any significant effect on most of the haematological parameters except in differential count. The basophil count of eight week old birds was significantly (P≤0.05) high in stressed control group of birds and it was reduced by vitamin C supplementation. Overcrowding stress produced heterophilia and lymphopenia which was also rectified by vitamin supplementation. The HI L ratio, which is a reliable indicator of stress in birds was significantly (p≤0.05) high in overcrowded group of birds. Vitamin C supplementation could reduce the stress in the overcrowded birds indicated by a lower HIL ratio. There was no change in plasma protein profile of the birds. However, overcrowding stress produced hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. Vitamin C supplementation was effective to rectify hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia in stressed broilers.