Hatch Window Research Articles

Effect of Short Period Incubation During Egg Storage on Hatchability, Embryonic Mortality and Chick Quality

Current experiment conducted on 5850 hatching egg (av. 59.5g) purchased from EL-KASABE for investment Shiver® Breeder farms (34 weeks old). A total of 2250 egg were assigned into 5 treatments of 450 egg representing storage periods of (0, 7, 14, 21 and 29 days) and the other 3600 egg were subdivide into 4 groups of 900 egg each according to SPIDES-short period incubation (fresh, 0, 2.5 and 5 hours) at 99.5°F. After SPIDES, treated egg placed for 2.5 hours in setter room and back into storage room at 12 – 16oC and 75 – 85% relative humidity according to the storage time. Egg storage for 7 days had better (P≤0.05) values for fertile egg, hatchability percentages, hatch window, embryonic mortality (early, mid and late), piped and chick quality. However, storage until 29 days showed the lowest significantly (P≤0.05) percent hatchability, hatchability for fertile egg, long incubation time, highest number of total embryonic morality and lowest number of chick quality. SPIDES (2.5 h) recorded higher hatchability traits, but SPIDES 5 hours showed the highest significantly (P≤0.05) number of early embryonic mortality and lowest number of chick quality. Accordingly, when egg stored for more than 7, 14, 21 and 29 days, it should be SPIDES-short period incubation 2.5 h every five days once, twice or fourth time during storage period to minimize the harmful impact of storage.

Effect of in ovo feeding of dextrin-iodinated casein in broilers: II. Hatch window and growth performance

Studies were conducted using a commercial InovojectTM system to determine effects of in ovo feeding of dextrin and iodinated casein (IC) on hatch and posthatch growth in broilers. At ∼18.5 d embryonic development, eggs were treated with 0, 240, or 480 μg IC/mL in saline (Cont, IC240, and IC480) or dextrin (Dext, DextIC240 and DextIC480). The Dext solution consisted of 18% maltodextrin and 10% potato starch dextrin; saline was the vehicle used by the company for in ovo vaccination. The volume for all in ovo treatments was 50 μL/injection. Eggs in Experiment 1 were transferred to a commercial hatcher unit whereas eggs in Experiments 2 and 3 were transferred to a research hatcher unit to assess effects of treatments on timing of hatch. At hatch, chicks were randomly selected and placed in floor pens and grown to 6 wk. In Experiment 1, there were no differences in hatch weights, but broilers provided Dext IC240 in ovo were heavier (P < 0.05) at 6 wk compared to other treatments with the exception of the Dext IC240 group. In Experiment 2, hatch weights were heavier (P < 0.05) in chicks receiving IC240 and DexIC480 treatments compared to Controls. At 6 wk, broilers in all treatments were heavier (P < 0.05) than Cont with the exception of IC480. In Experiment 3, hatch was stimulated by IC240 (in saline), but was delayed by Dext IC240. Serum analysis of β-hydroxybutyrate (μM/mL), as an indicator of ketone accumulation from fat metabolism of chicks held in chick boxes for 24 h posthatch (to simulate delay in placement after hatch), indicated that chicks in the IC240 group (that hatched earlier) had higher blood ketones compared to chicks that received Dext or DextIC240 in ovo (that hatched later). We conclude dextrin and iodinated casein (240 μg/mL) provided in ovo (∼18.5 d of embryonic development) has the potential to improve chick quality and posthatch body weight by delaying or narrowing hatch window.

Effect of Incubator Type and Broiler Breeder Age on Hatchability and Chick Quality

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of broiler breeder age and incubator type on hatching parameters, hatch window, embryo diagnosis results, and hatchling physical quality. The treatments consisted of a combination of three broiler breeder ages (29, 35 and 59 weeks of age) and two incubator types (single stage, SS; or and multiple stage, MS). A completely randomized design in a 3x2 factorial arrangement was applied. In Experiment I, 1,896 eggs were used and 360 eggs in Experiment II. There was an interaction between breeder age and incubator type only for hatchling physical quality score. Independently of incubator type, hatchability rate, late embryo mortality, and egg contamination were higher in the eggs laid by older breeders (59-wk-old). Early mortality (0-4 days) was higher in the embryos from young breeders (29-wk-old). A shorter hatch window birth was obtained in the SS incubator, resulting in higher hatchling body weight relative to egg weight, and better hatchling physical quality score. Both types of incubators provide good conditions for embryo development; however, the physical quality of chicks derived from eggs from intermediate-aged breeders (35-wk-old) is better when eggs are incubated in SS incubators.

Influence of hatch time and access to feed on intramuscular adipose tissue deposition in broilers

The effect of hatch time and subsequent access to feed on intramuscular adipose tissue deposition was studied in the pectoralis major muscle of male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Based on their hatch time chicks were classified as early (EH), midterm (MH), or late (LH) hatchers, with an average incubation duration of 497.7 h for EH, 508.8 h for MH, and 514.5 h for LH birds. Chicks were provided access to feed either immediately at hatch, or 24 h after the conclusion of the hatch window. Expression of the adipogenic regulatory genes peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), were measured at the time of hatch, and zero, one, 4, 7, 28, and 40 d. Intramuscular adipocyte cell width and visualization of adipose tissue deposition was observed at 28 and 40 d. Expression of PPARγ was increased in the pectoralis major of LH birds at the time of hatch, zero, and one d. The expression of PPARγ at one and 7 d, and SCD at 7 d were increased in all birds that received delayed access to feed. At 28 d, adipocyte cell width was increased in LH birds with delayed access to feed, compared to EH and MH birds with delayed access to feed and LH birds with immediate access to feed. At 40 d, adipocyte cell width was increased in all birds that received delayed access to feed. Also at 40 d, there was a trend (P = 0.078) for more extensive intramuscular adipose tissue deposition in LH than EH birds, and in birds with delayed access to feed (P = 0.075). These data indicate delayed access to feed increases intramuscular adipose tissue deposition in the pectoralis major muscle, and suggest that hatch time influences this regulation.

Effect of pre-incubation and incubation conditions on hatchability and chick quality of Kuroiler chickens

A study was conducted to review the effects of pre-incubation and incubation conditions on hatchability and chick quality of Kuroiler chickens. The most important incubation factors that affect hatch time, hatchability and hatch window (temperature, humidity, turning, and ventilation) were reviewed. There was a significant influence (P&lt;0.05) of breeder age on hatchability. Also, there was significance (P&lt;0.05) of breeder age on texture of the egg shell; while there was no significance (P &gt; 0.05) between size of egg and hatch window. The performance of Kurolilers at the end of the rearing period depended, in part, on the quality of day-old chicks at placement. The quality of day-old chicks was highly affected by the incubation conditions, hatch time (which determines the time spent in the hatchery under high temperature and humidity), and handling of chicks after hatch.Key words: Egg shell, hatch handling, hatch time, hatch window

Egg storage duration and hatch window affect gene expression of nutrient transporters and intestine morphological parameters of early hatched broiler chicks

In recent years, researchers have given emphasis on the differences in physiological parameters between early and late hatched chicks within a hatch window. Considering the importance of intestine development in newly hatched chicks, however, changes in gene expression of nutrient transporters in the jejunum of early hatched chicks within a hatch window have not been studied yet. This study was conducted to determine the effects of egg storage duration before incubation and hatch window on intestinal development and expression of PepT1 (H+-dependent peptide transporter) and SGLT1 (sodium–glucose co-transporter) genes in the jejunum of early hatched broiler chicks within a 30 h of hatch window. A total of 1218 eggs obtained from 38-week-old Ross 308 broiler breeder flocks were stored for 3 (ES3) or 14 days (ES14) and incubated at the same conditions. Eggs were checked between 475 and 480 h of incubation and 40 chicks from each egg storage duration were weighed; chick length and rectal temperature were measured. The chicks were sampled to evaluate morphological parameters and PepT1 and SGLT1 expression. The remaining chicks that hatched between 475 and 480 h were placed back in the incubator and the same measurements were conducted with those chicks at the end of hatch window at 510 h of incubation. Chick length, chick dry matter content, rectal temperature and weight of small intestine segments increased, whereas chick weight decreased during the hatch window. The increase in the jejunum length and villus width and area during the hatch window were higher for ES3 than ES14 chicks. PepT1 expression was higher for ES3 chicks compared with ES14. There was a 10.2 and 17.6-fold increase in PepT1 and SGLT1 expression of ES3 chicks at the end of hatch window, whereas it was only 2.3 and 3.3-fold, respectively, for ES14 chicks. These results suggested that egg storage duration affected development of early hatched chicks during 30 h of hatch window. It can be concluded that the ES14 chicks would be less efficiently adapted to absorption process for carbohydrates and protein than those from ES3 at the end of the hatch window.

System Research Of Multi-Barrel Machine Guns Installed On Board Of The Helicopter Of Mi-17 Type

AbstractThis article presents tests of a multi-barreled machine gun system built on board of a helicopter. The described weapon system consists of three 7.62 mm M-134G multi-barreled machine guns built on the designed frames of shooting positions located in the escape hatch window, the side doors and the rear doors of the transport cabin of the Mi-17-1V helicopter.The article presents basic tactical and technical parameters of the M-134G multi-barreled machine gun as well as detailed placement and equipment of the shooting positions. Secondly, the adopted range and the actual conduct of tests on the system are discussed. Among other things, its reliability, the impact of its work on the operation of the other on-board systems and vice versa as well as the effectiveness of the helicopter protection are analysed and rated. Finally, the results of conducted tests are given, in particular the system’s compliance with the tactical and technical requirements.

Higher levels of CO2 during late incubation alter the hatch time of chicken embryos

1. It has been reported that the increasing CO2 tension triggers the embryo to pip the air cell and emerge from the egg. However, the mechanism by which higher CO2 concentrations during the last few days of incubation affect chick physiology and the hatching process is unclear. This study investigated the effect of CO2 concentrations up to 1% during pipping, on the onset and length of the hatch window (HW) and chick quality.2. Four batches of Ross 308 broiler eggs (600 eggs per batch) were incubated in two small-scale custom-built incubators (Petersime NV). During the final 3 d of incubation, control eggs were exposed to a lower CO2 concentration (0.3%), while the test eggs experienced a higher CO2 concentration programme (peak of 1%).3. There were no significant differences in blood values, organ weight and body weight. There was also no difference in hatchability between control and test groups. However, a small increase in the chick weight and the percentage of first class chicks was found in the test groups. Furthermore, plasma corticosterone profiles during hatching were altered in embryos exposed to higher CO2; however, they dropped to normal levels at d 21 of incubation. Importantly, the hatching process was delayed and synchronised in the test group, resulting in a narrowed HW which was 2.7 h shorter and 5.3 h later than the control group.4. These results showed that exposing chicks to 1% CO2 concentration during pipping did not have negative impacts on physiological status of newly hatched chicks. In addition, it may have a significant impact on the physiological mechanisms controlling hatching and have benefits for the health and welfare of chickens by reducing the waiting time after hatching.

Physiological status of broiler chicks at pulling time and the relationship to duration of holding period

Newly hatched chicks may be held longer than 48 h and experience long periods of fasting in commercial hatcheries. Limited information is known about the physiological status of chicks in such situations, due to the difficulty of precisely recording time of hatch. This study investigated the effect of the time from hatch to pulling (holding period) on physiological measures/parameters in 109 broiler chicks. Fertile Ross 308 eggs were incubated in a custom built small-scale incubator. The individual hatching time of each focal chick was determined using eggshell temperature monitoring. At ‘pulling’ (512 h of incubation time), the quality of focal chicks was assessed using the chick scoring method and physiological parameters were measured including BW, organ (heart, liver and stomach) weights, blood values and plasma corticosterone level. The time from hatch to pulling varied from 7.58 to 44.97 h. Egg weight at setting was significantly correlated with chick BW and weight of organs at pulling, but had no effect on chick quality, blood values and plasma corticosterone. Relative BW at pulling was negatively associated with the duration of holding period (P=0.002). However, there was a positive correlation between relative stomach weight and the duration of the holding period (P<0.001). As the holding period duration increased, there was a trend that blood partial pressure of oxygen, haematocrit and haemoglobin also increased, and blood partial pressure of carbon dioxide, total carbon dioxide and bicarbonate decreased (P<0.05). A wide range of plasma corticosterone was observed from chicks that had experienced different durations of holding period. We conclude that shortening the hatch window and minimising the number of chicks that experience a long holding period before pulling may improve chick quality and physiological status, which may be due to unfavourable environmental conditions that include feed and water deprivation.

The effects of broiler breeder age on intestinal development during hatch window, chick quality and first week broiler performance

This study was carried out with the aim of determining the effects of breeder age on incubation results, intestinal development during hatch window, chick quality and first week broiler performance. A total of 4800 eggs were obtained from commercial Cobb 500 broiler breeder flocks at 33 and 62 weeks old. Of these 33 and 62 weeks old flocks, 31.4% and 7.0% were hatched 24 h before pull time and 51.2% and 56.0% were hatched 12 h before pull time, respectively. Hatchability of fertile eggs and hatchability of total eggs were found higher in 33 weeks old flock than the other. The chick hatch weight was determined as 39.5 g and 41.4 g in 33 and 62 weeks old flocks, respectively. Chick weight/initial egg weight rate was found to be higher as 67.3% in the 33 weeks old flocks. On hatching day, chick length were also higher in 62 weeks old flock. Relative yolk-free chick weight was higher in 33 weeks old (85.0%) flock than the other (82.0%). Intestine weight rate was higher as 5.27% in chicks from 33 weeks old than the other (5.08%). At 1 week of age, the body weights and weight gains were 165.1 g and 156.0 g, and 125.6 g and 114.6 g in 33 and 62 weeks old flocks, respectively. Higher mortality ratio as 3.6% was observed in 62 weeks old flock. In conclusion, intestinal development during hatch window, incubation parameters, chick quality and first week broiler performance is affected by breeder age.

Effects of hatching time on behavior and weight development of chickens.

The length of the embryonic period varies both among and within species and can affect the individual phenotype in many ways, both physiologically and behaviorally. In chickens, the hatch window may last 24–48 hours (up to 10% of the incubation time), and studies have shown that incubation length may affect post-hatch growth and physiology. However, little is known about effects on behavior. We therefore investigated how behavior variation correlates with hatching time in the early life of chickens. We also measured egg weight and egg weight loss in relation to hatching time, as well as post-hatch growth. For females, there was a negative correlation between hatch time and body weight from day 4 and throughout the experiment. For males, such a correlation was only observed when testing all hatched males up until day 10. The birds were exposed to a number of behavioral tests, and a principal components analysis was performed on the variables, resulting in four components. For the largest component, termed “Passivity”, a tendency of a difference was found between early and middle male hatchers. Furthermore, a significant difference between early and middle male hatchers was found in the second component, termed “Response to novelty”. In a spatial learning test, late hatchers tended to learn slower. The behavior of females was not significantly affected by hatching time in any of these tests. This study is among the first to demonstrate a link between time of hatching and early behavior in a precocial species like the chicken, and may help shedding light on the evolutionary trade-offs between incubation length and post-hatch traits. The results may also be relevant from a perspective of stress coping and therefore also for animal welfare and productivity in the chicken industry. The mechanisms linking hatching time with post-hatch phenotype remain to be investigated.

Effects of breeder age and egg weight on morphological changes in the small intestine of chicks during the hatch window

1. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of breeder age and egg weight on hatching performance and morphological changes in segments of the small intestine of broiler chicks during a 21 h hatch window.2. Eggs from Ross broiler breeder flocks aged 29 (young) and 48 weeks (old) were classified as light (LE) or heavy (HE) and incubated at the same conditions. At 475 h of incubation, eggs were checked every 3 h to determine time of external pipping and hatching. The first 42 chicks to emerge from each group were weighed and chick length was measured and 14 chicks from each group were sampled to collect residual yolk and intestine segments. The rest of chicks were placed back in the incubator and chick weight and length were measured individually at 9, 15 and 21 h after chicks hatched. At the end of 21 h, 14 chicks from each group were sampled again and the same procedure was followed.3. The HE chicks pipped and hatched later than LE, regardless of breeder age. From hatch to the end of the hatch window, chick weight, but not yolk-free chick weight, gradually reduced. Relative residual yolk weight of chicks from both egg weights was similar at hatch, however, yolk sac utilisation was higher for LE chicks during the 21 h post-hatch period. At hatch, jejunum and ileum villus development was very similar for HE and LE chicks but greater development was observed for villus area with an increase in the jejunum villus length, width and goblet cell numbers in HE chicks.4. The longest jejunum villus and the widest duodenum and jejunum villus were obtained for HE chicks from old breeders indicating that HE chicks from old breeders would have a greater surface area for nutrient absorption.

Effect of pre-incubation and incubation conditions on hatchability, hatch time and hatch window, and effect of post-hatch handling on chick quality at placement

The zootechnical performances of broilers at the end of the rearing period depend in part on the quality of day-old chicks at placement. The quality of day-old chicks is highly affected by the incubation conditions, by hatch time (which determines the time spent in the hatcher under high temperature and humidity), and by the handling of chicks after hatch. This article first presents an overview of the most relevant pre-incubation factors that affect chick quality: egg size, egg weight, quality of eggs, sex of embryos, age of breeders, and conditions and duration of egg storage. It then reviews the most important incubation factors that affect hatch time, hatchability and hatch window (temperature, humidity, turning, ventilation and concentration of gases). Finally, the effect of early post-hatch handling (including processing and especially transportation of chicks) as a possible source of stress influencing the quality of chicks at placement is discussed.

Hatch window on development of intestinal mucosa and presence of CD3-positive cells in thymus and spleen of broiler chicks

SUMMARY Different periods of hatching, called hatch windows, occur inside the same hatchery and birds’ development could be affected by this. This study evaluated morphology of the intestinal mucosa and gizzard, and the presence of CD3+ cells in thymus, spleen, and intestinal mucosa in broiler chicks hatched from different egg weights and in different hatch windows. Eggs from breeders at 38 wk of age were evaluated in a factorial 3 × 2 experimental design, with 3 hatch windows (hatching before 472 h of incubation, between 472 and 488 h of incubation, and between 488 and 504 h of incubation) and 2 egg weights (lightweight and heavyweight). Prematurely hatched chicks remaining inside the hatchery for longer periods presented improved koilin membrane development in the gizzard, and smaller presence of CD3+ cells in thymus, spleen, and ileum compared with those birds that hatched close to the standardized time for hatchery opening.

Monitoring the hatch time of individual chicken embryos

This study investigated variations in eggshell temperature (Tegg) during the hatching process of broiler eggs. Temperature sensors monitored embryo temperature by registering Tegg every minute. Measurements carried out on a sample of 40 focal eggs revealed temperature drops between 2 to 6°C during the last 3 d of incubation. Video cameras recorded the hatching process and served as the gold standard reference for manually labeling the hatch times of chicks. Comparison between Tegg drops and the hatch time of individuals revealed a time synchronization with 99% correlation coefficient and an absolute average time difference up to 25 min. Our findings suggest that attaching temperature sensors to eggshells is a precise tool for monitoring the hatch time of individual chicks. Individual hatch monitoring registers the biological age of chicks and facilitates an accurate and reliable means to count hatching results and manage the hatch window.

Optical contamination evidence from Skylab and Gemini flights

Final results from a part of the T027 experiment that was performed on the first Skylab mission are presented. The sample array system containing 248 optical surfaces and exposed outside the orbital workshop did not collect any significant contaminants. Unfortunate performance compromises and the relative cleanliness of the assembly on the antisolar side placed the amount of available surface contaminants at or below the limiting sensitivity of the ground measuring instruments. However, significant contamination was seen near the extravehicular hatch quadrant on the solar side of the orbiting assembly, and some results from returned samples are presented. Optical windows and mirrors exposed on the Gemini 12 mission showed degradation up to 35% in the uv wavelength region and solar absorptance increases up to 1.8 times the clean values. An expression for the attenuation coefficient vs wavelength is presented. The contaminant, a silicone base material, varied in thickness from 22 nm to 88 nm. The postflight sca ttered luminance of a contaminated Gemini 12 left-hand spacecraft hatch window was used to obtain threshold stellar visibility curves as a function of scattered and incident sunlight angles.