Here, we investigated the effects of 6 h of road transportation on the hematology and behavior of 50 adult Rouen ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) administered with antioxidants under hot climatic conditions. The ducks were divided into five groups, each consisting of 10 ducks: ascorbic acid (AA), vitamin E (Vit-E), melatonin, control (transported and not given antioxidant) and sedentary (neither transported nor given antioxidants). Thermal conditions during transport were recorded. Blood samples, behavior, and the liveweight of ducks were analyzed before and after transportation. Our findings suggest that 6 h of road transport and exogenous administration of AA, Vit-E, and melatonin had no significant (p>0.05) adverse effects on the hematology, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (a widely accepted indicator of stress in ducks), behavior, and liveweight of the ducks. In conclusion, the physiological responses of Rouen ducks to the stress of 6 h of road transportation were minimal, transient, and not detrimental to their health and welfare. The administration of antioxidants, AA, Vit-E, and melatonin prior to 6 h of road transportation did not noticeably ameliorate the minimal stress that Rouen ducks experienced.
Cite this article as: Minka, N.S., Hassan, F.B., Ayo, J.O., 2020. The Effects of Road Transportation under Hot Climatic Conditions and the Administration of Antioxidants on the Physiological Responses of Rouen Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus). Acta Vet Eurasia 46, 30-36.