Effects of mixing eggs of different initial incubation time on the hatching pattern, chick embryonic development and post-hatch performance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The hatch window that varies from 24 to 48 h is known to influence post-hatch performance of chicks. A narrow hatch window is needed for commercial poultry industry to acquire a high level of uniformity of chick quality. Hatching synchronization observed in avian species presents possibilities in altering hatch window in artificial incubation.

Methods

Layer eggs which were laid on the same day by a single breeder flock and stored for no more than two days started incubation 12 h apart to obtain developmental distinction. The eggs of different initial incubation time were mixed as rows adjacent to rows on day 12 of incubation. During the hatching period (since day 18), hatching time of individual eggs and hatch window were obtained by video recordings. Embryonic de

SUBMITTER: Zhong Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5898426 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature