A Spirulina-Grass Jelly Gel Mitigates Transport Stress and Improves Physiological Status in Day-Old Broiler Chicks

Delayed access to feed and water during chick handling and transportation may induce dehydration, oxidative stress, and deterioration in chick quality.This study evaluated the efficacy of a Spirulina-enriched grass jelly supplement (Cincau Gel Spirulina platensis; CGSP) on the physiological responses of day-old broiler chicks (DOC).A total of 500 DOC (44 ± 2 g) were allocated to a completely randomized design with five treatments: P0 (control), P1 (CGSP + 25 g Spirulina/100 chicks), P2 (CGSP + 50 g Spirulina/100 chicks), P3 (CGSP + 75 g Spirulina/100 chicks), and P4 (Spirulina solution, 2 g/L).After a 15-hour transport period, measurements included live weight loss, body temperature, Pasgar score, hematological indicators, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration.The P2 treatment significantly reduced live weight loss (4.04%) and better maintained body temperature (40.01 °C) and Pasgar score (9.85) compared with the control (P < 0.05).While P4 exhibited the greatest reduction in MDA concentration, its markedly higher variability indicated inconsistent intake among chicks, likely due to uneven consumption of the liquid form.In contrast, CGSP in gel form provided a more uniform and stable supplementation intake, resulting in more consistent physiological responses across replicates.These findings indicate that CGSP containing 50 g Spirulina (P2) offers a practical and effective strategy to mitigate transport-related stress and maintain DOC quality under commercial conditions.Delayed supplementation hydration and nutrient support was associated with greater physiological decline, underscoring the importance of timely and accessible early-life supplementation.