Abstract
Incubation temperature plays a crucial role in the embryo development, hatchability and post-hatch (PH) adaptability to varied climatic conditions. Effect of exposure to high (39.0°C) or low (36.0°C) temperatures during 4 to 7, 11 to 14 and 18 to 21 d of broiler chicken embryo development was studied. Exposures to high or low incubation temperature did not affect the embryo growth, but the early thermal exposed eggs had higher embryonic mortality. Exposure to high temperature during late incubation period causes early piping, but increased the piping time by four hours. Mid-period thermal exposed eggs recorded higher hatchability. Chick to egg weight ratio was higher in late-low temperature exposed egg. The 14th d PH body weight was lower in early-high temperature exposed chicks, however no difference was observed in 28th d body weight. Chicks having exposure to low temperature during late period had apparently improved FCR (1.60) than the control (1.65) chicks. Low temperature exposed chicks had higher body temperature. The present findings concluded that mid (11–14 d) and late period (18–21 d) exposure to high or low temperature for six hrs could improve the hatchability without affecting the post-hatch performances in broiler chicken.
Published Version
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