Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
Evaluation of Auditory Brainstem Response in Chicken Hatchlings
Published on: April 1, 2022
Effect of species-specific sound stimulation on the development and hatching of broiler chicks
Q Tong1, I M McGonnell, C E B Romanini
1a Department of Production and Population Health , Royal Veterinary College , Hatfield , Hertfordshire , UK.
Insights
Prenatal auditory stimulation using species-specific calls delayed hatching and reduced hatchability in broiler breeder embryos. However, sound exposure did not affect embryo growth, chick quality, or blood parameters.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Developmental Biology
- Avian Physiology
Background:
- Chicken embryos possess a functional auditory system during incubation.
- Prenatal sound exposure may influence embryo development and hatch timing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prenatal auditory stimulation on the hatching process and performance of broiler breeder embryos.
- To assess the impact of sound exposure on embryo development and blood parameters.
Main Methods:
- Ross 308 broiler breeder eggs were divided into control and sound-stimulated groups.
- Sound-stimulated embryos were exposed to 72 dB of species-specific calls for 16 hours daily from day 10 to hatching.
- Maternal and embryo/chick calls were used at different incubation stages.
Main Results:
- Auditory stimulation delayed the onset of hatching compared to controls.
- Hatchability was reduced in the sound-stimulated group due to increased late deaths.
- No significant effects were observed on embryo growth patterns, chick quality, blood values, or corticosterone levels.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal auditory stimulation with species-specific calls negatively impacts hatch timing and hatchability in broiler breeder embryos.
- Despite effects on hatching, overall embryo development and physiological parameters remained largely unaffected by the sound exposure.
Abstract:
1. Previous research has reported that chicken embryos develop a functionary auditory system during incubation and that prenatal sound may play an important role in embryo development and alter the hatch time. In this study the effects of prenatal auditory stimulation on hatch process, hatch performance, the development of embryo and blood parameters were investigated. 2. Four batches of Ross 308 broiler breeder eggs were incubated either in control or in sound-stimulated groups. The sound-stimulated embryos were exposed to a discontinuous sound of species-specific calls by means of a speaker at 72 dB for 16 h a day: maternal calls from d 10 to d 19 of incubation time and embryo/chick calls from d 19 until hatching. The species-specific sound was excluded from the control group. 3. The onset of hatch was delayed in the sound-stimulated group compared to the controls. This was also supported by comparison of the exact hatching time of individual focal chicks within the two groups. However, the sound-stimulated embryos had a lower hatchability than the control group, mainly due to significantly increased numbers of late deaths. 4. The embryos exhibited a similar growth pattern between the sound-stimulated group and the control group. Although sound exposure decreased body weight at d 16, no consistent effect of sound on body weight at incubation stage was observed. Species-specific sound stimulation also had no impact on chick quality, blood values and plasma corticosterone concentrations during hatch.
