Effect of incubational thermal exposures on the hatchability and early post-hatch growth performance of broiler chicken

Abstract

Not AvailableSoren, S.K., Bhanja, S.K., Goel, A. and Mehra, M. 2016. Effect of incubational thermal exposures on the hatchability and early post-hatchgrowth performance of broiler chickens. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 51(1): 19-23.Incubation temperature plays a crucial role in the embryo development, hatchability and post-hatch (PH) adaptability to variedclimatic conditions. Effect of exposure to high (39.0°C) or low (36.0°C) temperatures during 4 to 7, 11 to 14 and 18 to 21 d of broilerchicken embryo development was studied. Exposures to high or low incubation temperature did not affect the embryo growth, but theearly thermal exposed eggs had higher embryonic mortality. Exposure to high temperature during late incubation period causes earlypiping, but increased the piping time by four hours. Mid-period thermal exposed eggs recorded higher hatchability. Chick to eggweight ratio was higher in late-low temperature exposed egg. The 14th d PH body weight was lower in early-high temperature exposedchicks, however no difference was observed in 28th d body weight. Chicks having exposure to low temperature during late period hadapparently improved FCR (1.60) than the control (1.65) chicks. Low temperature exposed chicks had higher body temperature. Thepresent findings concluded that mid (11-14 d) and late period (18-21 d) exposure to high or low temperature for six hrs could improvethe hatchability without affecting the post-hatch performances in broiler chicken.