Effect of Specific Gravity and Flock Age on Hatching Traits in Broiler Breeders

Authors: AYDIN İPEK, ÜMRAN ŞAHAN

Abstract: This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of specific gravity and breeder age on egg weight loss during incubation, and on the hatchability and embryonic mortality of broiler breeders. The eggs from Ross commercial broiler breeder flocks were collected (age 34 and 59 weeks). The eggs were divided according to specific gravity into two groups: thin shelled, <1.080 and thick shelled, >1.080. The effects of specific gravity and breeder age on egg weight loss, embryonic mortality and hatchability were significant (P<0.01). The results demonstrated that eggs with the lowest specific gravities had the greatest weight losses, the highest embryonic mortalities and the lowest hatchabilities. In addition, hatchability was lower in the older flock due to increased early and late embryonic mortalities. It was concluded that shell quality may be a significant factor in declining hatchability as the hen ages.

Keywords: Broiler breeder, egg specific gravity, hatchability, embryonic mortality

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