AUTHOR(S): Al Sardary, S. and Mohammad, Sh
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TITLE Effect of Thermal Manipulation during Embryogenesis on Hatching Traits |
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 |