Thermoregulation in naked neck chickens subjected to different ambient temperatures

Abstract

1. Heterozygous (Na/na) naked neck chickens and their normally feathered (na/na) sibs, were exposed to constant ambient temperatures (Ta) ranging between 15 and 35 degrees C and 12h: 12h diurnal high:low temperatures of 15 degrees C:35 degrees C. 2. No significant effect of genotype was obtained in weight gain and food intake. However, the naked neck birds tended to gain somewhat more weight at high Ta and consume more food at low Ta. 3. At 35 degrees C Na birds showed better regulation of body temperature (Tb) and demonstrated considerably higher radiation from the neck. 4. The greater food intake of the naked neck chickens at 15 degrees C was associated with significantly higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, heart and liver size. These appear to involve both higher heat production and haemodynamic changes to accommodate the higher oxygen demands of the naked neck chickens at low Ta. 5. The results indicate the ability of the naked neck chickens, on the one hand to thermoregulate at low Tas and, on the other their slightly better capacity to maintain Tb at high Tas. However, no genotype advantage was obtained under diurnal cyclic temperature conditions.