Effects of different light durations during incubation on hatching, subsequent growth, welfare, and meat quality traits among three broiler strains.

Abstract

Present study was aimed to evaluate the hatching traits and subsequent performance of broilers strains under the intermittent and continuous light regime during incubation. In total, 2250 eggs from Hubbard classic, Cobb-500, and Ross-308 strains (750 eggs from each of same age breeders) were incubated under three different light durations. First treatment was the incubation totally under darkness where no light was able to penetrate in the assigned section of machine. In the second treatment, eggs were incubated at 12h of lightness and 12h of darkness. In the third treatment, the eggs received lightning of 24h. Data were collected for hatching traits and hatch window, growth performance, welfare aspects, and meat quality. A two-way factorial analysis was performed using SAS software applying Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that hatching traits were improved when Hubbard breeder eggs were provided with light period of 12h. However, gait score was non-significantly different among the treatment. The meat quality was better in Hubbard broilers obtained after 12h of intermittent light during incubation. Blood biochemistry was also improved in Hubbard broilers of 12h of light duration. It was concluded that 12h of light period during incubation is beneficial for getting better hatchability and subsequent performance of Hubbard broilers.