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Perinatal broiler physiology between hatching and chick collection in 2 hatching systems
L J F van de Ven1, A V van Wagenberg, E Decuypere
1Vencomatic BV, Eersel, the Netherlands. Lotte.vandeven@vencomatic.com
Insights
Early-hatching broiler chicks benefit from immediate feed and water access, improving their physiological development. Conversely, fasting chicks adapt metabolically to conserve nutrients, highlighting the impact of posthatch conditions on broiler physiology.
Area of Science:
- Avian Physiology
- Poultry Science
- Animal Husbandry
Background:
- Hatching time and posthatch conditions significantly impact broiler chick physiology.
- Conventional hatcheries often delay feed and water access, potentially disadvantaging early-hatched chicks.
- Alternative systems, like patio systems, offer immediate access to feed and water under different environmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological responses of broiler chicks hatched at different times.
- To compare the effects of conventional hatcher versus patio systems on chick physiology.
- To determine how early posthatch feed and water access influences broiler development.
Main Methods:
- Fertile broiler eggs were incubated in either a conventional hatcher or a patio system.
- Chicks were sampled at three hatching times (early, midterm, late) for physiological analysis.
- Physiological parameters and organ weights were analyzed at hatch and at E21.5 (posthatch day 3).
Main Results:
- Later-hatching chicks exhibited greater maturity at hatch, indicated by increased organ weights and decreased residual yolk.
- Patio system chicks had higher organ weights compared to hatcher chicks.
- Early feed and water access in the patio system promoted physiological development and compensated for earlier hatching disadvantages.
Conclusions:
- Posthatch conditions, particularly feed and water availability, critically influence broiler chick physiology.
- Early-hatching chicks can overcome developmental disadvantages with immediate access to feed and water.
- Fasting induces metabolic adaptations in chicks, prioritizing nutrient preservation.
Abstract:
Little is known about physiological responses of early- versus late-hatching chicks to early posthatch conditions in broiler practice. We investigated effects of hatching time on perinatal broiler physiology in 2 hatching systems, differing in conditions: a conventional hatcher, where chicks are deprived of feed and water between hatching and the moment of chick pulling (d E21.5), and a patio system, in which the hatching and brooding phase are combined, and chicks have immediate posthatch feed and water access. Climate conditions in patio also differ with about 3°C lower temperature and 20% lower RH compared with conventional hatchers. At E18, fertile eggs were transferred to either a hatcher or the patio until the end of incubation. From each system, 50 newly hatched chicks were collected at 3 hatching times: at 468 h (early), 483 h (midterm), and 498 h (late) of incubation, of which 25 chicks were decapitated for analyses of physiological parameters. The other 25 chicks were returned to the hatching system for analyses after 515 h of incubation (E21.5). At hatch, weights of the heart, lungs, stomach, and intestine increased with hatching time, concurrent with a decrease in residual yolk weight, regardless of hatching system, and indicating that later hatching chicks are more matured. Weights of the heart, liver, stomach, and intestines were lower in hatcher than in patio chicks. Between hatch and E21.5, residual yolk weight decreased, whereas organ weights increased in both fasted hatcher and fed patio chicks, but at a higher rate in the latter. At E21.5, plasma glucose and triiodothyronine had increased with time after hatch in patio chicks, whereas levels were similar among hatching times and lower in hatcher chicks. Early feed and water access seems to enable early hatching chicks to compensate for their apparent disadvantage in development at hatching, whereas chicks subjected to fasting show metabolic adaptations to preserve nutrients. Chick physiology at chick pulling time was shown to vary with time after hatching and posthatch conditions, especially feed access.
