Effects of regular handling and blood sampling by wing vein puncture on the performance of broilers and pullets

Abstract

Broilers and pullets were regularly handled or bled by wing vein puncture over periods of 5 and 31 wk, respectively. Neither procedure had any effect on body weight, food consumption, egg production, egg weight, shell quality or the percentage of non-marketable eggs. [In the poultry industry, sequential blood sampling is used for routine pathological screening or for monitoring biochemical changes in fowls. The same birds are often used simultaneously for performance testing.].