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Metabolism and growth of chickens before and after hatch in relation to incubation temperatures
Insights
Early, cooler incubation temperatures (35.8°C) in chick embryos promote compensatory growth and higher metabolic heat production post-hatch. This suggests early environmental conditions influence long-term growth and metabolism in domestic fowl.
Area of Science:
- Poultry Science
- Developmental Biology
- Animal Physiology
Background:
- Incubation temperature is a critical environmental factor influencing embryonic development in poultry.
- Understanding the long-term effects of altered incubation temperatures is crucial for optimizing poultry production and welfare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a specific early incubation temperature reduction on chick growth and metabolic rate.
- To determine if initial developmental conditions affect post-hatch growth and metabolic performance in chickens.
Main Methods:
- Chick embryos were incubated at 35.8°C (days 1-10) followed by 37.8°C, compared to controls at a constant 37.8°C.
- Post-hatch, body weight, organ weights (liver, gastrointestinal tract), and heat production were analyzed.
- Metabolic heat production was measured relative to embryo weight and incubation time.
Main Results:
- Embryos incubated at 35.8°C exhibited compensatory growth and higher heat production compared to controls.
- Post-hatch chickens showed continued compensatory growth and increased heat production per unit time and body weight.
- Adult hens displayed a trend towards higher heat production and dry matter content.
Conclusions:
- Early incubation at a reduced temperature (35.8°C) can lead to sustained compensatory growth and elevated metabolic rates in chickens.
- In ovo environmental conditions appear to have a lasting influence on growth, metabolism, and potentially reproductive performance in domestic fowl.
Abstract:
Chick embryos were incubated at 35.8 C from days 1 to 10 and at 37.8 C from day 11 to hatching. Control embryos were incubated at 37.8 C. Other environmental conditions were standardized. Embryos incubated at 35.8 C showed compensatory growth when compared to embryos of the control group and showed a higher heat production (kJ/embryo/hr) expressed as a linear function of dry embryo weight (g) or incubation time (days). After hatching, the compensatory growth of the chickens incubated at 35.8 C (days 1 to 10) continued, as demonstrated by analyses of the weight of the body, liver, and the gastrointestinal tract. The same animals produced more heat per unit of time and body weight. Adult hens from this group showed a trend for higher heat production per unit body weight as well as a higher dry matter content. These results suggest a link between in ovo environmental conditions, growth processes, and metabolic level up to the reproduction period of domestic fowl.