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Differential Effects of Sex and Genetics on Behavior and Stress Response of Turkeys¹

G. Huff^*,2, W. Huff^*, N. Rath^*, A. Donoghue^*, N. Anthony and K. Nestor

^* Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Fayetteville, AR 72701; Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701; and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster 44691

² Corresponding author: grhuff{at}uark.edu

Three lines of turkeys were tested for response in T-maze and open-field tests during the first 8 d after hatch, and behavior was observed after catching, moving, and transport. They were also compared for corticosterone (CORT) levels and heterophil:lymphocyte ratios (H:L) at 15 wk of age in response to an Escherichia coli challenge followed by transport stress. Large commercial-(COMM) line birds were faster and more active in the T-maze at d 2 than egg-line birds. Male COMM-line birds were faster than male egg-line birds when tested in an open field at d 8. Egg-line birds had more sleeping behavior after moving to a new floor pen as compared with both an intermediate-sized line (F line) and the COMM line. Transport stress increased CORT levels in all 3 lines, and the increase was greater in males compared with females. The egg line had higher basal CORT levels (P = 0.03) and higher levels after transport (P < 0.0001). The H:L ratios were affected by both transport stress and line but not by sex. The H:L ratio was lower in the egg line as compared with both the F line and the COMM line (P < 0.0001), with the COMM line having the greatest increase in response to transport. These data, combined with those from previous studies of these lines, suggest that differences in activity of fast-growing turkeys may be used to select birds that are less susceptible to inflammatory bacterial disease and that the H:L ratio may be more useful than serum CORT in evaluating the deleterious effects of stress.

Key Words: turkey • behavior • transport stress • genetics • sex • heterophil:lymphocyte ratio

¹ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.