Effect of Different Housing Systems on Plasma Levels of Malondialdehyde, Retinol and β-Carotene in Pekin Ducks

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different housing systems on malondialdehyde (MDA), retinol and β‐carotene levels in blood plasma of Pekin ducks. A total of 420 (212 male, 208 female) one‐dayold ducklings were used in this study. The ducklings were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (53 male, 52 female); 2 intensive systems (one without pool and the other with swimming pool) and 2 intensive systems with outside activity (one without pool and the other with swimming pool). Each pen area for the intensive systems was 30 m^2 and for the intensive systems with outside activity was 50 m^2 (20 m^2 inner area and 30 m^2 outer area). The size of each swimming pool was 1x2x0.5 m in width x length x depth, respectively. The experimental period lasted for 6 weeks. At the 6 weeks of experimental period, 5 male and 5 female ducks were randomly selected from each pen and blood samples were collected from the brachial vein. Plasma MDA, retinol and β‐carotene levels were then measured. Differences of the values of MDA, retinol and β‐carotene levels between the groups were not statistically significant. It was determined that different housing systems did not change the plasma levels of MDA, retinol and β‐carotene in Pekin ducks and consequently did not cause any oxidative stress.