TITLE

Effect of Thermal Manipulation during Embryogenesis on Hatching Traits

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KEYWORDS

Thermal Manipulation, Embryogenesis, Hatching Traits, Sex Ratio.

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of thermal manipulation (TM) during different embryogenesis stages of broiler breeder eggs at embryonic days (ED): T1 (1-5), T2 (8-12), T3 (14-18), T4 (19-21) and T5 was control (no TM) on hatching results and subsequent chick characteristics. Three thousand Ross-308 eggs from twenty seventh weeks old breeder flock were used. Eggs were randomly divided into five treatments with four replicates per each treatment (150 eggs / replicate). Two identical incubators were used. In the first incubator all eggs were incubated at 37.7 ºC and 60-65% relative humidity (RH). The eggs thermally treated eggs were transferred into the second incubator and was kept at 38.7 ˚C and 60-65% RH. After four (4) hours (hrs) of thermal treating during all embryonic stages of all TM groups, the eggs were returned to the first incubator, immediately. It was found that: thermal manipulation did not affect the hatchability percentage of total and fertile set eggs, normal birds percentage, chick quality and body temperature (○C) at hatch. Thermally manipulation improved significantly male percentages and male/female ratio mainly during ED 19-21 than control group. In conclusion, high incubation temperatures altered sex ratio in favor of more male percentage without affecting hatchability and chick quality.

Cite this paper

Al Sardary, S. and Mohammad, Sh. (2016) Effect of Thermal Manipulation during Embryogenesis on Hatching Traits. International Journal of Agricultural Science, 1, 1-6