Kuluçka sırasında sıcağa alıştırma ve fotoperiyodik aydınlatmanın kuluçka performansı, kuluçka süresi, civciv kalitesi ve organ gelişimi üzerindeki etkisi

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of thermal manipulation (TM) and photoperiodic lighting during the incubation on hatching performance, hatching time, chick quality and organ growth. Material and Methods: The study was composed of two consecutive experiments. The 1st experiment was application of TM, 1ºC higher eggshell temperature (EST, 38.8ºC ) for 6 h/day from 11 to 16 embryonic day, or optimal EST of 37.8ºC (Control) during the incubation. In second experiment, eggs were exposed to a photoperiodic lighting of 16h light and 8h darkness (16L: 8D) along with optimal EST (Light-Control) or TM (Light-Heated). Results: Thermal manipulation accelerated hatching time, reduced chick quality score, decreased relative bursa and tibia weights while heart and sternum weights increased with no effect on hatching performance. However, 16L: 8D photoperiodic lighting schedule along with TM significantly improved chick length at hatch indicating improved chick quality while other traits were not affected except for higher relative liver weight. Conclusion: It can be concluded that TM alone had negative effects on chick quality. However, photoperiodic lighting along with TM can be a positive approach towards better chick quality and post hatch performance as indicated by increased chick length and liver weight.