J. Brake

Thermal Manipulations During Broiler Embryogenesis: Effect on the Acquisition of Thermotolerance

Rapid growth rate has presented broiler chickens with serious difficulties when called on to thermoregulate efficiently in hot environmental conditions. Altering the incubation temperature may induce an improvement in the acquisition of thermotolerance (AT). This study aimed to elucidate the effect of thermal manipulations (TM) during the development of the thyroid and adrenal axis of broiler embryos on the potential of broilers to withstand acute thermal stress at marketing age. Cobb broiler embryos were subjected to TM at 39.5 degrees C and 65% RH from embryonic day 7 to 16 (inclusive), either continuously (24 h) or intermittently (12 h). After hatching chicks were raised under standard conditions to 35 d of age and then subjected to thermal challenge (35 degrees C for 5 h). Continuous TM caused a significant decline in hatchability, coupled with significantly lower BW and body temperature at hatching. The intermittent (12-h) chicks showed results similar to the controls but had significantly lower body temperature. Thermal challenge at marketing age demonstrated a significant improvement in AT in both the 12- and 24-h TM-treated broilers, which was characterized by a significantly lower level of stress (as evidenced by the level of plasma corticosterone) and rate of mortality. It was concluded that TM during the portion of embryogenesis when the thyroid and adrenal axis develop and mature had a long-lasting effect and improved the AT of broiler chickens. Whereas intermittent TM had no significant effect on hatchability and performance parameters, continuous TM negatively affected these parameters.

Interaction of Calcium and Phytate in Broiler Diets. 1. Effects on Apparent Prececal Digestibility and Retention of Phosphorus

Phytate P utilization from soybean meal (SBM) included in broiler diets has been shown to be poor and highly dependent on dietary Ca intake. However, the effect of Ca on P utilization and on the optimal ratio of Ca to nonphytate P (Ca:NPP) when diets contained varying levels of phytate has not been clearly shown and was the objective of this research. A factorial treatment structure was used with 4 dietary Ca levels from 0.47 to 1.16% and 3 levels of phytate P (0.28, 0.24, and 0.10%). Varying dietary phytate P levels were obtained by utilizing SBM produced from 3 varieties of soybeans with different phytate P concentrations. Ross 508 broiler chicks were fed 1 of 12 diets from 16 to 21 d of age. Excreta were collected from 16 to 17 d and from 19 to 20 d of age and ileal digesta was collected at 21 d of age. Apparent prececal P digestibility decreased when dietary Ca concentration increased and was higher when diets contained low-phytate SBM. The apparent digestibility of Ca and percentage of phytate P hydrolysis at the distal ileum were not reduced when dietary phytate P concentration increased. Including low-phytate SBM in diets reduced total P output in the excreta by 49% compared with conventional SBM. The optimum ratio of Ca:NPP that resulted in the highest P retention and lowest P excretion was 2.53:1, 2.40:1, and 2.34:1 for diets with 0.28, 0.24, and 0.10% phytate P. These data suggested that increased dietary Ca reduced the extent of phytate P hydrolysis and P digestibility and that the optimum Ca:NPP ratio at which P retention was maximized was reduced when diets contained less phytate P.

Effects of incubational humidity and hen age on embryo composition in broiler hatching eggs from young breeders.

There is a paucity of information regarding the influence of incubational humidity on the characteristics of broiler embryos from young hens that often produce chicks of marginal quality. Therefore, the effects of broiler breeder age (26, 28, and 30 wk) in young broiler breeders and incubator humidity (43, 53, and 63% RH) on embryonic growth between 16 and 21 d of incubation, hatching chick weight, and embryo and chick body compositions were evaluated. Hatching broiler chick BW at 21 d was lower for 26-wk-old breeders compared to those at 28 and 30 wk, and the lowest RH decreased relative wet embryo weight. Embryonic growth, on wet and DM bases, was increased in eggs from the youngest hens. Embryo moisture content (EM) was lower at 16, 17, and 19 d of incubation in eggs from breeders at 26 wk when compared to those at 28 wk of age. The effects of RH on embryo crude protein and fat composition were not consistent and varied with breeder age and length of incubation. It was demonstrated that broiler breeder age affects embryogenesis and hatching chick BW. Furthermore, EM was influenced by breeder age, and changes in incubational RH between 43 and 63% affected embryogenesis without having associated effects on EM or consistent effects on embryo crude fat and protein content. Nevertheless, a depression in embryogenesis with a reduction in incubational RH to 43% may accentuate poor posthatch performance of chicks from young breeders.

Thermal manipulations during broiler incubation alter performance of broilers to 70 days of age

Recent decades have seen significant progress in the genetic selection of fast-growing broiler chickens. Whereas in many countries the average marketing age is 5 to 6 wk, the US, French, and other markets demand heavier broilers (~4 kg) that require a longer posthatching growing period. With greater age and greater BW, the ability to cope with hot weather conditions deteriorates, which can result in increased economic losses during periods of hot weather. Recent studies have demonstrated a long-lasting effect of intermittent thermal manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis, when it was applied for 12 h/d between embryonic (E) days E7 and E16, which was shown by improved thermotolerance during acute posthatching heat stress as well as improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and breast muscle yield. The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of TM during embryogenesis on Cobb 500 broiler performance up to 70 d of age. Hatchability and male BW were not affected by TM, but TM females demonstrated a lower (P = 0.024) BW during the entire 70-d posthatching study. However, following embryonic TM, both sexes exhibited lower (P = 0.028 and P = 0.018 for males and females, respectively) feed intake and body temperature accompanied by improved FCR and greater breast muscle weight. In light of the present and previous studies, it was concluded that intermittent TM during broiler embryonic development had a long-lasting effect on energy balance that led to improved FCR and breast muscle yield.

Sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate supplements for broilers can cause poor performance at high temperatures

1. Supplements of between 2 and 8 g of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)/l in drinking water provided between 21 and 49 d of age to broilers at 31 degrees C increased growth after 35 d of age and food intake after 42 d of age compared to unsupplemented controls. The most consistent responses were observed with 2 g NaHCO3/l. 2. Differences in weekly water intakes with different concentrations of NaHCO3 in the drinking water did not equate with variations in weekly food intake and growth. 3. Unexpected high mortality from dehydration and nephrosis was observed with a 10 g NaHCO3/l supplement. This mortality was associated with major changes in blood acid-base balance and plasma electrolyte concentrations. 4. Dietary supplements of NaHCO3 gave significantly better food conversion and numerically better growth in broilers at 31 degrees C than supplements of potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) providing similar dietary concentrations of bicarbonate. 5. Supplements of NaHCO3 were more toxic to broiler chickens when supplied in the drinking water than in the diet. This appeared to be related to the intake of sodium and alterations to cellular membrane ionic potential.

The effects of oviposition time on egg weight loss during storage and incubation, fertility, and hatchability of broiler hatching eggs

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of time of oviposition, generally representing different positions in the normal egg laying sequence, on egg weight loss during storage and incubation, and on fertility and fertile hatchability of eggs from mid-lay (42 wk) and old (67 wk) broiler breeders. A total of 1,800 eggs (900 eggs per flock age) were collected during 10 consecutive days between 0830 and 1830 h each day. The eggs were individually marked, weighed, and stored for 1 to 10 d before incubation was initiated. Egg weight remained less from collection through incubation for eggs from the mid-lay flock than those from the old flock. Fresh weight of early laid (first-in-sequence; C1) eggs was significantly greater than that for the middle-of-day laid (mid-sequence; Cs), or late-in-day laid eggs (terminal-in-sequence; Ct). Percentage of egg weight loss during storage did not differ significantly between the mid-lay and old flocks but percentage of weight loss in the mid-lay flock was greater during incubation. Egg weight loss during storage of eggs from the middle-of-day laid (Cs) eggs was significantly greater than for early laid (C1) eggs, which was greater than for the late-in-day laid (Ct) eggs. Fertility was significantly decreased due to flock age but not due to oviposition time. Fertile hatchability was also significantly decreased due to flock age, but there was no significant effect of oviposition time. Early and late dead embryos increased with flock age, but there was no significant effect of oviposition time. It was concluded that there was no effect of oviposition time on fertility or fertile hatchability even though there were significant differences in egg weight and egg weight loss during storage due to oviposition time.

Effect of Egg Position During Three and Fourteen Days of Storage and Turning Frequency During Subsequent Incubation on Hatchability of Broiler Hatching Eggs

Two experiments were carried out to examine the interaction of egg storage period, egg position during storage, and turning frequency during subsequent incubation on fertile hatchability and embryonic mortality of broiler hatching eggs. Broiler hatching eggs from breeder flocks at 62 and 60 wk of age were stored for either 3 or 14 d at 18 degrees C and 75% RH in either the normal large end up or inverted small end up (SEU) position and then turned either 24 or 96 times daily to 18 d of incubation in 2 experiments. The longer storage period decreased fertile hatchability, whereas storage in the SEU position improved fertile hatchability in both experiments. There was a significant storage position x length of storage period interaction in both experiments due to better fertile hatchability for the SEU eggs stored 14 d but not 3 d. The 96-times turning frequency numerically improved fertile hatchability in both experiments. A significant storage period x turning frequency interaction in experiment 1 was related to a 6.6% increase in fertile hatchability of 14-d stored eggs due to increased turning frequency. A similar numerical increase of 4.9% was observed in experiment 2. These data show that the detrimental effects of a long storage period may be practically ameliorated by either storage in the SEU position or by an increased turning frequency during subsequent incubation.

Effect of Egg Weight and Position Relative to Incubator Fan on Broiler Hatchability and Chick Quality

Two experiments, which included 3 incubators, were carried out to investigate the effects of egg weight and position relative to incubator (setter) fan on embryonic mortality, second quality chicks, and fertile hatchability of broiler eggs. Three egg weight groups termed small (approximately 62.4 g), average (approximately 65.4 g), and large (approximately 68.9 g) were set in either the incubator trolley most distant from the fan (FAR) or in the incubator trolley nearest the fan (NEAR) as would be the case during single-stage operation in this type of incubator. Fertile hatchability decreased in the large egg weight group due to increased percentage late embryonic mortality in experiment 1, and both percentage early and late embryonic mortality in experiment 2. Percentage late embryonic mortality and second quality chicks increased and percentage fertile hatchability decreased for eggs in the FAR position in experiment 1 only. A significant interaction of incubator position x egg weight group for late embryonic mortality, second quality chicks, and fertile hatchability was found in experiment 1, but only late embryonic mortality was so affected in experiment 2. Experiment 2 was conducted so that eggshell temperatures could be measured. Large eggs in the FAR position at transfer time (E 18) exhibited significantly higher eggshell temperatures than did the other groups probably because air velocity or air distribution was modified in the FAR position of the incubator and large eggs were most negatively influenced in the trolley in this position.

Broiler incubation. 2. Interaction of incubation and brooding temperatures on broiler chick feed consumption and growth

The effect of either hot or cool brooding litter temperature on feed consumption, BW, and mortality of broiler chicks that had been exposed to either normal or high temperature during latter stages of incubation was studied in 2 experiments. The duration of experiments 1 and 2 was 14 and 21 d, respectively, with BW and feed consumption determined at 2, 5, 7, and 14 d of age in experiment 1 and at 7, 14, and 21 d of age in experiment 2. High incubator temperature after embryonic d 16 decreased chick feed consumption and BW at all ages in both experiments. Hot brooding litter temperature increased feed consumption at 2 and 5 d in experiment 1 and at 7 d in experiment 2 but decreased feed consumption at 14 and 21 d in experiment 2. Feed consumption was also influenced by the incubation temperature x brooding litter temperature interaction. From 0 to 2 d or 0 to 7 d in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, the highest to lowest feed consumption was exhibited by the normal-hot, high-hot, normal-cool, and high-cool interaction groups but the order changed to normal-cool, normal-hot approximately high-cool, and high-hot from 7 to 14 and 14 to 21 d in experiment 2. Significant effects on mortality were observed in experiment 2 only where males exhibited greater mortality that was most evident in the combination of high temperature incubation followed by cool brooding. Excessive (high) eggshell temperature during the latter stages of incubation reduced feed consumption and BW through 21 d of age. However, the results showed that the hot brooding litter temperature supported increased feed consumption during the first few days of brooding even for the chicks that had been subjected to high incubation temperature. Hot brooding also reduced male mortality in experiment 2. Nonetheless, hot brooding litter temperatures should be limited as extending beyond a few days eventually decreased feed consumption.

Identification of critical periods for turning broiler hatching eggs during incubation

1. Fertile hatchability was superior from a broiler breeder flock at 29 weeks of age than at 68 weeks of age because of decreased mortality at all stages of embryo development. 2. Eggs that were either turned or not turned during the 0 to 7 d, 8 to 14 d and 15 to 18 d periods in the 8 possible combinations showed that the absence of turning from 0 to 7 d of incubation caused a decrease in fertile hatchability and an increase in all stages of embryonic mortality, and an incidence of Malposition II (head in small end of shell) that was more pronounced in a 68-week-old flock than a 29-week-old flock. 3. When eggs from 33- and 35-week-old broiler breeder flocks were either turned or not turned from 0 to 2 d, 3 to 4 d, 5 to 6 d or 7 to 8 d in the 16 possible combinations, the absence of turning from 3 to 8 d, or 0 to 2 d alone or in combination with other time periods reduced fertile hatchability and increased embryonic mortality and percentage of Malposition II. 4. The most critical period for turning commercial broiler hatching eggs during incubation was from 0 to 7 d with the single most critical 2-d period being 0 to 2 d.