Abstract BACKGROUND: Using broiler chickens as an animal model is common in basic scientific research conducted in the laboratory. In this context, one of the significant challenges in scientific research on birds is administering appropriate anesthesia. Anesthesia in birds carries many risks. To address this issue, medication should be administered based on the physiology and anatomy of birds. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of injection and inhalation anesthesia methods and drugs in broiler chickens for stereotactic brain surgery to identify the most suitable anesthesia method for birds. METHODS: The present study was conducted on 36 male broiler chickens of the Ross 308 breed, all 21 days old, with an approximate weight of 750 g. The birds were randomly divided into three groups: group “ketamine-xylazine,” group “ketamine-midazolam,” and group “isoflurane,” with each group containing 12 chickens. In groups “ketamine-xylazine” and “ketamine-midazolam,” the anesthetic was administered intramuscularly (in the pectoralis muscle), while in the group “isoflurane,” it was administered via inhalation. At the end of the study, the duration of induction, maintenance, and recovery from anesthesia was evaluated in different groups. RESULTS: Our study revealed that injectable anesthetics caused the chickens to exhibit emotional and abnormal movements upon waking up. The induction of anesthesia achieved with two combinations of ketamine-xylazine and ketamine-midazolam took between 2 and 4 minutes, while it took 1 to 2 minutes when combined with isoflurane. Recovery in the first two groups was prolonged, whereas in group “isoflurane,” it was rapid and smooth. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the recorded data and assessment of anesthesia quality in various groups indicated a preference for using isoflurane over other groups evaluated in this study.

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