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Effects of incubation temperature on the bone development of broilers
1Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Poultry Science
|August 17, 2011
Summary
Altering incubation temperatures by 1°C during embryonic development (ED) 4-7 impacts broiler chick hatchability and growth. However, these minor temperature shifts did not influence leg abnormalities in Cobb 500 broilers across various diets.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Poultry Science
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Leg abnormalities are a significant concern in broiler production.
- Incubation temperature is a critical factor influencing embryonic development and post-hatch performance.
- Previous research suggests temperature manipulation can affect broiler health, but specific impacts on leg development require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of minor incubation temperature deviations (±1°C) during embryonic days 4-7 on hatchability, growth, and leg abnormalities in Cobb 500 broilers.
- To determine if dietary induction of tibial dyschondroplasia or rickets interacts with incubation temperature effects.
- To analyze the impact of altered incubation timing on hatchability and chick weight.
Main Methods:
- Cobb 500 broiler eggs were incubated at standard (37.5°C), high (38.5°C), or low (36.5°C) temperatures for 3 days during embryonic days 4-7.
- Chicks were fed one of three diets: one inducing tibial dyschondroplasia, a calcium-deficient diet, or a phosphorus-deficient diet.
- Hatchability, body weight, and incidence of leg abnormalities were assessed. Experiment 2 focused on altered hatching times, and Experiment 3 separated temperature and time effects.
Main Results:
- Experiment 1 showed higher hatchability (92.77%) and earlier hatching at 38.5°C compared to 37.5°C (86.22%), but lower body weight at the higher temperature.
- Experiment 2 indicated optimal hatchability (92.92%) at 37.5°C, with decreased hatchability at 36.5°C (89.82%) and 38.5°C (81.55%), and varied body weights.
- No significant main effects or interactions between incubation temperature or time and bone abnormalities were found in Experiment 3, even with specific diets designed to induce leg issues.
Conclusions:
- Minor fluctuations in incubation temperature (±1°C) during a critical period (ED 4-7) significantly affect broiler hatchability and hatching time.
- While incubation temperature influences early growth and hatchability, it did not appear to be a primary factor in the development of diet-induced leg abnormalities in this study.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between incubation conditions, nutrition, and skeletal development in broilers.
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