Contents of macro- and microelements in blood serum and breast muscle of broiler chickens subjected to different variants of pre-slaughter handling

This experiment was aimed at determining contents of Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, and Fe in blood serum and breast muscles of broiler chickens COBB 500 subjected to different variants of pre-slaughter handling in the summer period: no transport (N-T); transport to a distance of 100 km (T-100) and 200 km (T-200). The complete pre-slaughter handling consisted of the following stages: catching the birds, weighing, loading to containers, transport and waiting for slaughter, unloading and weighing after the transport. In the N-T group, transport and weighing after the transport were excluded from the pre-handling management. Stress factors occurring in the pre-slaughter handling evoked a detrimental effect on the bodies of both males and females and appeared to affect concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, and Fe in blood serum and breast muscles of the broiler chickens. An upward tendency was observed in serum levels of those elements after transport to a distance of 100 km which was, however, followed by their decline. An opposite tendency was demonstrated in breast muscle. Taking into account the sex of the chickens, differences were observed in contents of macro- and microelements between males and females, both in their blood sera and breast muscles.