<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The aim of the study was to analyze eggshell temperature, embryo viability, and hatchability parameters of broiler breeders at different ages (26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, and 46-64 weeks). A total of 33,150 eggs from Ross 308 broiler breeders collected from commercial flocks were used to analyze the following: egg weight and egg weight loss during 18 days of incubation; eggshell temperature controlled on days 3, 14, and 18 of incubation; number of infertile eggs including eggs with dead embryos at early stages of development, that is, in the oviduct or after oviposition; the total percentage of embryonic mortality and the percentage of embryonic mortality at different times of incubation; unhatched, dead after hatching, and culled chicks as well as hatchability percentage from fertilized eggs. The hatchability results of Ross 308 broiler breeders were high from the beginning of reproductive season till the 40th week. However, the study failed to reveal any relationships between hatchability and the egg weight, average temperature of the shell, and egg weight loss during incubation period. The oldest hens, over 45 weeks of age, had the highest mortality of chicks and the greatest share of unhatched chicks.</p></abstract>

The aim of the study was to analyze eggshell temperature, embryo viability, and hatchability parameters of broiler breeders at different ages (26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, and 46-64 weeks). A total of 33,150 eggs from Ross 308 broiler breeders collected from commercial flocks were used to analyze the following: egg weight and egg weight loss during 18 days of incubation; eggshell temperature controlled on days 3, 14, and 18 of incubation; number of infertile eggs including eggs with dead embryos at early stages of development, that is, in the oviduct or after oviposition; the total percentage of embryonic mortality and the percentage of embryonic mortality at different times of incubation; unhatched, dead after hatching, and culled chicks as well as hatchability percentage from fertilized eggs. The hatchability results of Ross 308 broiler breeders were high from the beginning of reproductive season till the 40th week. However, the study failed to reveal any relationships between hatchability and the egg weight, average temperature of the shell, and egg weight loss during incubation period. The oldest hens, over 45 weeks of age, had the highest mortality of chicks and the greatest share of unhatched chicks.

Effect of Broiler Breeders’ Age on Eggshell Temperature, Embryo Viability and Hatchability Parameters

Department of Animal Breeding and Product Quality Assessment, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Słoneczna 1, Złotniki, 62-002 Suchy Las, Poland

DanHatch Poland S.A., Stary Widzim 254, 64-200 Wolsztyn, Poland 3Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Management, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 33, 60-637 Poznań, Poland

DanHatch Poland S.A., Stary Widzim 254, 64-200 Wolsztyn, Poland

Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Management, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 33, 60-637 Poznań, Poland

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The aim of the study was to analyze eggshell temperature, embryo viability, and hatchability parameters of broiler breeders at different ages (26-30, 31-35,...

Effect of Broiler Breeders’ Age on Eggshell Temperature, Embryo Viability and Hatchability Parameters

Article Category: Behavior, well-being, production technology, and environment

Publicado en línea: 23 ene 2016

Páginas: 235 - 243

Recibido: 24 feb 2015

Aceptado: 31 ago 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2015-0081

Palabras clave
broiler breeders, egg incubation, eggshell temperature, hatchability

© by Sebastian Nowaczewski

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Effect of Broiler Breeders’ Age on Eggshell Temperature, Embryo Viability and Hatchability Parameters

Article Category: Behavior, well-being, production technology, and environment

Publicado en línea: 23 ene 2016

Páginas: 235 - 243

Recibido: 24 feb 2015

Aceptado: 31 ago 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2015-0081

Palabras clavebroiler breeders, egg incubation, eggshell temperature, hatchability

© by Sebastian Nowaczewski

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Palabras clave
broiler breeders, egg incubation, eggshell temperature, hatchability