Packed cell volume reference intervals to aid in the diagnosis of anemia and polycythemia in young leghorn chickens.

Packed cell volume (PCV) reference intervals were established for use in diagnosing anemia and polycythemia in young chickens. Blood samples were collected from 3-to-35-day-old specific-pathogen-free leghorn chicks. PCVs were determined and analyzed. PCVs regressed significantly (P less than 0.0001) on age, which shows that neonatal physiologic anemia occurs in chicks as well as in mammals. The definition for anemia in chicks varies with age. We defined anemia as a PCV less than or equal to 23%, 25%, 26%, 28%, 31%, and 30%, respectively, for chicks 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days old. We defined polycythemia as a PCV greater than or equal to 36%, 37%, 38%, 37%, 41%, and 40%, respectively, for chicks 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days old. Healthy chicks have PCVs within established reference intervals. Results provide guidelines to detect anemia and polycythemia in young leghorn chicks of various ages.