Effects of cold stress during transportation on hatchability and chick quality of broiler breeder eggs

Authors : Ahmad SALAHI, Mozhdeh MOOSANEZHAD KHABISI, Abbas PAKDEL, Ali BAGHBANZADEH

Pages : 159-167

Doi:10.3906/sag-1204-40

View : 20 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In this experiment 72,000 broiler breeder eggs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Ross 308 strain); collected from 36-week-old flocks were subjected to cold stress during transportation. Eggs were allocated to 4 temperature groups insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(treatments);: 1.2 °C, 1-2 °C, 2.5-3.9 °C, 4-6 °C, and a control group, 21-22 °C. Each treatment had 14,400 eggs, and data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. The results of this study showed that cold stress had a significant effect on percentage of egg weight loss insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001);, and minimal egg weight loss occurred in the control group. The percentage of exploders and early hatched chicks and chick weight were higher in the below zero temperature treatment than the other groups insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.01);. Cold stress had a significant effect on chick length, hatchability, and the hatching of fertile eggs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001);. The effects of cold stress on chick yield and body weight uniformity were significant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.01);. The effect of cold stress on hatchery byproduct efficiency was significant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001);, but did not affect fertility. Cold stress also had significant effects on early insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1-8 days);, middle insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(9-17 days);, and late mortality insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(20-21 days);; total embryo mortality; and exposed brain. Ectopic viscera was significant insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001);, and most mortality was observed in below 4 °C treatments. Total percentages of malpositions and deformity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001); and egg contamination at 1-9 days insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(first stage); and 10-21 days insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(second phase); were affected by cold stress insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.001);. Cold stress also had a significant impact on the number of cull chicks; percent of string navel, button navel, total string, and button; omphalitis; full body cavity; red hocks; dehydration; dirty chickens; and stubby down. Cold stress affects performance during incubation and overall chick quality.
Keywords : Key words Cold stress, egg transportation, hatchability, chick quality, malposition and deformity, culls, egg weight loss, embryo mortality and contamination