Stocking Density Impacts on Productive Performance and Some Stress Indicators within Two Different Turkey Breeds

One of the most important challenges facing turkey production is high stocking density, therefore this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different stocking density of 2 different turkey breeds (The Egyptian Black Baladi and The Commercial White Nicholas) on productive performance (live body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio) and some stress indicators. A total of 108 poults-8 weeks old were allocated into 3 different rearing systems: G1; control (4 birds/m 2 ); G2 and G3; reared at 6 and 8 birds/m 2 , respectively. A negative significant (P < 0.01) impacts were reported of both 6 and 8 birds/m 2 groups on productive performance parameters in both breeds; additionally, theses parameters showed direct relationship with the age. Higher stocking density (8 birds/m 2 ) had been altered the differential leucocyte counts which associated with a significant (P < 0.01) increase in corticosterone and decrease in both thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) as compared to control. There was a significant (P < 0.01) high H/L ratio with Black Baladi as compared to White Nicholas. White Nicholas breed reared in 8 birds/m 2 as compared to the other 2 White Nicholas groups showed a significant (P<0.01) increase in H/L ratio with corticosterone hormone level. On the other hand, Black Baladi breed showed a significant increase in corticosterone hormone level at 8 birds/m 2 followed by 6 birds/m 2 . White breed at 8 birds/m 2 showed a significant decrease in both T3 and T4 as compared to their control, on the other hand, Black Baladi reared in 8 birds/m 2 showed a significant decrease in T4.