The Effect of Stocking Density on Stress Related Genes and Telomeric Length in Broiler Chickens

To be economically profitable, the poultry industry demands an increase in stocking density, which could adversely affect chicken welfare. The current study was performed to investigate the effect of stocking density on stress-related, heat shock protein genes (HSP70 and HSP90), 3-hydroxyl-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) gene and telomere length in broiler chickens. Seven-day-old broiler chickens were housed at High (0.0578 m 2 /bird), Standard (0.077 m 2 /bird) and Low (0.116 m 2 /bird) stocking densities with 8 replicates each until 35 d of age. The growth performance, such as body weight gain and average daily feed intake, was found to be significantly (p