Stress Responses During Red Jade Rooster Rearing: During the breeding process, harmful external factors can affect and stimulate the body of Red Jade roosters, leading to excessive activity in various organs and systems, resulting in a process where harmful substances are produced—a phenomenon known as the stress response in chickens. When raising the flock, it is crucial to identify all potential stress response sources to avoid adverse effects on the chickens.

Improper feed change

To prevent stress reactions caused by improper feed changes, chicken farms should strive to maintain the original feed formula, ensuring the relative stability of its nutritional content. When a change in feed formula and variety is necessary, adjustments should be made within one week prior to the feed change, based on a certain proportion of the daily feed requirement for the flock. Additionally, sufficient amounts of various vitamins and additives should be supplemented in the feed to minimize the occurrence of stress reactions.

2 Improper Group Transfer

During their time together, chickens exhibit their intergroup relationships in simple forms. This relationship is not peaceful coexistence but primarily reflects a struggle for survival. If new individuals are introduced into the flock, such as merging flocks or adding new chickens to the breeding flock, the flock will immediately erupt in panic, manifested by chickens fighting each other, jostling for space, etc., leading to chickens being pecked, injured, or even killed, and potentially spreading disease. Particularly, flocks of different breeds and ages are more prone to such stress responses, severely impacting their normal growth.

External factors stimulate

Chickens may exhibit stress responses after being exposed to various external stimuli, leading to panic and significant impacts on the flock. For instance, the sounds of vehicles on the road, the roaring of equipment in use, natural phenomena like thunder and lightning, and people entering the chicken coop to catch the chickens are major types of stimuli. Even changes in the coop's lighting can provoke stress responses. After being startled, chickens will run around frantically, and some excessively panicked chickens may start to squawk. In cases of severe stimuli, chickens might appear dazed, and some could even die due to the stress, with death rates increasing if the stimuli are repetitive. The primary cause of death is often due to panic, resulting in liver and blood vessel rupture.

4 Production procedures not standardized

Chicken farming today is predominantly in groups, with stable environmental control, management, and technology that the flocks have become accustomed to. However, sudden changes to these environments can disrupt their adaptation. Modifications to production techniques can also trigger stress responses. For instance, long-standing feeding methods and protocols, such as separating the flock for a period, assigning different caretakers, or mixing chickens of different ages, can impact the flock. Changes in the flock's living environment, density, and conditions can lead to internal conflicts and competition, resulting in economic losses.