High eggshell temperatures during incubation decrease growth performance and increase the incidence of ascites in broiler chickens

Roos Molenaar*, Mike Hulet†, Ron Meijerhof‡, Conny Maatjens*, Bas Kemp#, and Henry van den Brand#

*HatchTech Incubation Technology B.V., P.O. Box 256, 3900 AG Veenendaal, the Netherlands; †Department of Poultry Science, Penn State University, University Park 16802, USA; ‡Poultry Performance Plus, Kleine Enkweg 1, 7383 DB Voorst, the Netherlands; #Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.

High eggshell temperatures (EST; ≥38.9°C) during the second half of incubation are known to decrease the body and organ development of broiler hatchlings. In particular, relative heart weights are decreased by a high EST, and this may increase the incidence of metabolic disorders that are associated with cardiovascular development, such as ascites. The current study investigated the effects of a high EST on chick quality, subsequent performance, and the incidence of ascites later in life. Eggs were incubated at a normal (37.8°C) or high (38.9°C) EST from d 7 of incubation onward. After hatching, the chickens were housed per EST in pens, and a normal or cold temperature schedule was applied during the grow-out period. Download the entire article via the button below.