Arterial blood gases in undisturbed resting birds: measurements in chicken and duck.

Arterial blood was sampled in resting, unrestrained and undisturbed birds using a remote-controlled sampling device. With this technique a blood sample of 0.45 ml was obtained for analysis of PO2, PCO2 and pH at the body temperature of the animal. In 5 domestic hens the following mean values were obtained: PA02-82 torr; PACO2=33 torr; pHA=7.52. The average body temperature was TB=41.0 degrees C. In 6 domestic ducks the analysis yielded values of PAO2=82 torr; PACO2=38 torr; pH2=7.49; Tb=41.0 degrees C. Although these values are close to those reported in the literature some discrepancies may be recognized; they can be attributed to respiratory and metabolic changes of blood composition possibly induced by classical sampling procedures.