Corticosterone in Commercial Broilers

The welfare of commercially produced broilers is of concern to producers and consumers. When birds are reared under stressful conditions they often exhibit several adaptive responses. The major response is secretion of the stress hormone, corticosterone (CS), by the adrenal glands. The objective of this study was to assess welfare of commercially reared broilers by determining plasma CS concentrations at various times during grow out. Results show that CS concentrations of all birds tested remained in the nonstress range. The conclusion of this study is that commercial production of broilers in tunnel-ventilated houses that maintained temperatures in the comfort zone and light at low intensities did not cause stress as measured by circulating blood levels of CS.