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Related Experiment Videos

Early-age housing temperature affects subsequent broiler chicken performance.

P J J Baarendse1, B Kemp, H Van Den Brand

  • 1Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

British Poultry Science
|April 28, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Early life housing temperature significantly impacts broiler chicken growth. While lower temperatures initially reduced body weight, they enhanced cold resilience later in life, suggesting a trade-off in broiler performance.

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Area of Science:

  • Animal Science
  • Poultry Husbandry
  • Environmental Physiology

Background:

  • Optimal housing temperature is critical for broiler chicken development and performance.
  • Early life thermal stress can influence long-term physiological responses and growth trajectories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of early post-hatching housing temperatures on broiler chicken growth, development, and cold resilience.
  • To assess the impact of reduced early ambient temperatures on metabolic parameters and overall performance.

Main Methods:

  • Broiler hatchlings were assigned to either a normal temperature (NT: 34°C) or low temperature (LT: 28°C) group for the first week, with gradual temperature reduction.
  • At day 6, LT group temperature was normalized to NT conditions; both groups experienced a cold challenge (10°C) at day 29.

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  • Measurements included navel temperature, body weight, organ development, hematocrit, metabolism, and ascites incidence.

    • Main Results:

    • LT group exhibited lower navel temperatures (days 2-5) and consistently lower body weight compared to the NT group.
    • Early thermal treatment did not significantly alter organ development, hematocrit, metabolism, or ascites occurrence long-term.
    • Metabolic responses indicated potential long-term effects, with LT birds showing better adaptation during the cold challenge.

    Conclusions:

    • Moderate reduction in early housing temperature negatively impacts broiler chicken performance (body weight).
    • Early thermal conditioning may enhance broiler chickens' ability to withstand subsequent cold challenges.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term metabolic implications of early thermal environments.