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The effect of incubation temperature on pre- and post-hatching development in chickens |
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| Authors: | H Michels R Geers S Muambi |
| Institution: | Laboratorium voor Eco‐Fysiologie der Huisdieren, Fakulteit der Landbouwwetenschappen , Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven , Kardinaal Mercierlaan, 92, Heverlee, B‐3030, Belgium |
| Abstract: | Chicks hatched from eggs incubated at two temperatures (36.8 °C, 37.8 °C) but similar humidities (30 mmHg during the first 18 d and 40 mmHg thereafter) were reared for 12 weeks in groups of six at 22 °C and in a relative humidity of 45 to 55%. The lower incubation temperature resulted in a longer incubation period. Female embryos utilised the energy of the egg better than males. A possible difference in the relationship between the post‐hatching development of males and females and pre‐hatching environmental conditions was indicated by a higher viability at 14 d and a higher body weight after 12 weeks of cocks incubated at 36.8 °C. There were significant effects of sex on food conversion efficiency. Results suggest that pre‐hatching temperatures may influence post‐hatching energy utilisation. |
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