Thermal manipulations during broiler incubation alter performance of broilers to 70 days of age

Abstract

Recent decades have seen significant progress in the genetic selection of fast-growing broiler chickens. Whereas in many countries the average marketing age is 5 to 6 wk, the US, French, and other markets demand heavier broilers (~4 kg) that require a longer posthatching growing period. With greater age and greater BW, the ability to cope with hot weather conditions deteriorates, which can result in increased economic losses during periods of hot weather. Recent studies have demonstrated a long-lasting effect of intermittent thermal manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis, when it was applied for 12 h/d between embryonic (E) days E7 and E16, which was shown by improved thermotolerance during acute posthatching heat stress as well as improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and breast muscle yield. The present study was designed to elucidate the effect of TM during embryogenesis on Cobb 500 broiler performance up to 70 d of age. Hatchability and male BW were not affected by TM, but TM females demonstrated a lower (P = 0.024) BW during the entire 70-d posthatching study. However, following embryonic TM, both sexes exhibited lower (P = 0.028 and P = 0.018 for males and females, respectively) feed intake and body temperature accompanied by improved FCR and greater breast muscle weight. In light of the present and previous studies, it was concluded that intermittent TM during broiler embryonic development had a long-lasting effect on energy balance that led to improved FCR and breast muscle yield.

Upregulation of TLR4 mRNA Expression Levels in Broiler Chickens Under Acute Heat Stress

“…However, many animal species typically have a protective metabolism that is adapted to the optimal temperature range of the environment in which they have evolved (Zhang et al, 2014;Sun et al, 2015). It well known that poultry species, particularly broiler chickens, are more sensitive to high environmental temperatures and humidity levels than other domestic animals because of their feather cover, lack of sudoriferous glands, and fast growth rate (Piestun et al, 2013;Di et al, 2015). When the environmental temperature exceeds the optimal temperature range, broilers show signs of heat stress, including rise in body temperature, reduced feed intake, poor reproductive and growth performance, immunosuppression, and increased mortality (Kamboh et al, 2013;Zhao et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2014;Lasagna et al, 2015;Li et al, 2015;Sun et al, 2015).…”

In vitro evaluation of aspirin-induced HspB1 against heat stress damage in chicken myocardial cells

“…Even in animals that survive the heat stress, acute intracorporal damage would affect the breeding industries. In fact, due to feather cover, lack of perspiratory glands and fast growth in modern commercial breeding facilities, poultry species, such as broiler chickens are more defenseless to high temperatures than mammals (N. R. St-Pierre* 2003;Piestun et al 2013). Many important organs displayed damages in chickens after acute heat stress exposure, including the heart (Yan et al 2009).…”

Yumurtadan Yeni Çıkmış Broiler Civcivlerde Döngüsel Yüksek İnkübasyon (Kuluçka) Sıcaklıklarının Vücut ve Organ Ağırlıkları, Tiroit Hormonları ve HSP70 Gen Ekspresyonu Üzerine Etkileri

“…In our study, cyclical higher temperature was applied, whereas in previous studies [4,18,23] constant higher temperature was applied throughout incubation. This difference may be the reason of conflict between our study and other studies [4,18,23] concerning liver weight.…”

“…In our study, cyclical higher temperature was applied, whereas in previous studies [4,18,23] constant higher temperature was applied throughout incubation. This difference may be the reason of conflict between our study and other studies [4,18,23] concerning liver weight. It was reported [20] that deviation from optimum incubation temperature suppresses the development of organs and growth, but in our study, deviation from optimum incubation temperature was cyclical and low, which could not affect body and liver weights.…”

“…Thus, each factor or condition that enhance the growth and development during embryonic period can positively affect the post hatch performance of the broiler chicks [16,17] . There are some evidences that showed the embryonic temperature during the last 5 days of incubation could significantly affect post hatch growth and performance [16,[18][19][20] ; however, previous studies reported that thermal manipulation had no effect on body weight of both sex [21,22] .…”