Desempenho e variáveis fisiológicas de frangos caipiras submetidos a diferentes densidades e níveis de salinidade da água.

Abstract

The creation of poultry hick is a viable alternative for small rural properties, being a rustic bird and capable of withstanding climatic adversities. The objective of the present research was to evaluate the environmental conditions, thermal exchanges, physiological responses, production, and carcass and hematological responses of Rhode Island Red hens, consuming water with three levels of salinity (NS: 1, 4 and 8 dS / m) and in different confinement densities (D: 8.0, 10.0 and 12.0 hens/m²), under the climatic conditions of Barreiros PE. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme, with the three levels of salinity and the three confinement den sities, with four replicates. The increasing levels of water salinity resulted in a significant increase in the water and feed consumption from the sixth week of life of the hens, and caused an increase in the carcass and heart weight of the chickens, with no alterations being observed on the serum rates. The increase of the confinement density caused an increase in the respiratory rate of the hens reducing water consumption, feed intake, weight and feed conversion, leading to a reduction in chick blood magnesium levels. With the increase of age and weight, the birds began to dissipate with greater intensity the metabolic heat reducing gradually the elimination of heat in a sensible way.