Hematocrit and Hemoglobin of Broilers as Influenced by Environmental Temperature and Dietary Iron Level

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of environmental temperature on hematocrit and hemoglobin values of chicks receiving diets containing various levels of copper (Cu) and iron (Fe). Hematocrit and hemoglobin values were affected by environmental temperature and dietary Cu and Fe level. A significant increase in hemoglobin values was obtained with increasing Cu and Fe levels at both temperatures. The hematocrit values followed the same pattern with the exception of the 19-day-old birds reared at 21.1°C. and receiving the highest Cu and Fe diet. Hemoglobin values of birds reared at 21.1°C. receiving the basal diet supplemented with 2 p.p.m. Cu and 20 p.p.m. Fe were the same as the hemoglobin values of birds reared at 32.2° C. receiving the basal diet supplemented with 9 p.p.m. Cu and 90 p.p.m. Fe. Within each dietary regime, birds reared at 21.1°C. had significantly higher hematocrit and hemoglobin values than birds reared at 32.2°C., with the exception of the hemoglobin values for birds receiving the basal diet. Chicks reared from 1 day of age to 2 weeks of age in a conventional manner responded to dietary Fe level and environmental temperature within a 2-week period. Within each dietary regime, hematocrit and hemoglobin values for birds reared at 10°C. were significantly higher than for birds reared at 21.1° C. Hematocrit and hemoglobin values for birds reared at 32.2°C. were significantly lower than the other two temperatures. A comparison between temperatures for the combined diets shows a decrease in hematocrit and hemoglobin values as the temperature at which birds are reared is increased.