Effects of hatch window and nutrient access in the hatcher on performance and processing yield of broiler chicks reared according to time of hatch

Abstract

The effects of hatch window and hatching basket nutrient availability on organ weights, performance, and processing yield of broilers were investigated. Eggs were hatched in illuminated hatchers. At the end of each hatch window period ( HWP ), hatched chicks were placed into control ( CTL ) hatching baskets with no nutrients or baskets providing access to feed and water ( FAW ). This resulted in 6 treatments in a factorial arrangement of 3 HWP (early, middle, or late) and 2 basket types (CTL or FAW). Chicks remained in experimental baskets until 504 h and were then subjected to a 4 h holding period at the hatchery without nutrient access. Subsequently, 1,500 hatched chicks were reared in floor pens for 42 d with 5 replicate pens per treatment. Common diets and water were provided ad libitum. Bird weights and feed consumption were recorded weekly. Individual bird weights were taken at 21 and 42 d. At 43 d, 14 males from each pen were processed. There was an interaction between HWP and basket type on placement BW ( P = 0.028) and BW change in the hatcher ( P < 0.001). The HWP influenced BW at hatch ( P = 0.007), 7 d ( P < 0.001), and 14 d ( P < 0.001) and FI at 7 d ( P < 0.001) and 14 d ( P = 0.002). Chicks from FAW baskets were heavier ( P < 0.001) than those from CTL baskets at 7 d; afterward, they were similar ( P > 0.05) in BW. Yolk and liver weights were similar ( P > 0.05) between basket treatments at 3 d posthatch. No differences ( P > 0.05) in FCR, mortality, or processing were observed between basket treatments. Interestingly, early hatching chicks were lightest at hatch but subsequently had higher FI and BWG. These findings indicate that hatcher nutrient access may reduce weight loss in the hatcher, especially for early hatching chicks, but had no influence on subsequent performance or processing yields beyond 7 d.

Research Note: Interaction between hatching time and chick pull time affects broiler live performance

“…This finding was consistent with the findings of Joseph and Moran (2005) , Almeida et al. (2006) , and Deines et al. (2021) , who found that holding early hatched chicks in the hatcher for up to 12, 24, and 24 h had no effect on BW at 41 to 42 d of age when compared with the BW of late hatched chicks Clark et al.…”

“…From placement to day 7, late hatched chicks held in the hatcher for the shortest period (average 7 h) after hatching gained less BW than chicks hatched in the early and middle times in the NP treatment, whereas no differences between hatching times were observed for the DP treatment. This corresponds with previous studies ( Lamot et al., 2014 ; Özlü et al., 2018 ; Deines et al., 2021 ) that found that BW gain during the first 7 d was significantly lower in the late hatching than in the early and middle chicks and can be explained by late hatched chicks spending the shortest time without feed and water, being less mature in development at the moment of placement compared to the other groups. Thus, chicks continue to develop by investment in organ development and growth of the digestive system, regardless of the presence of feed, as yolk sac reserves are used for this purpose ( Almeida et al., 2006 ; Lamot et al., 2014 ).…”

“…In this study, for the overall period at 41 d, there were no significant differences in feed consumption, similar to previous studies ( Joseph and Moran, 2005 ; Almeida et al., 2006 ; El Sabry et al., 2013 ; Deines et al., 2021 ).…”

“…(2014) , Özlü et al. (2018) , and Deines et al. (2021) , who observed that late chicks consumed less feed at 7 d compared to early and middle hatch chicks.…”

Influence of the preplacement holding time and feeding hydration supplementation before placement on yolk sac utilization, the crop filling rate, feeding behavior and first-week broiler performance

“…However, other studies comparing immediate or delayed posthatch feed intake up to 72 h did not find differences in yolk utilization or residual yolk weights ( Gonzales et al, 2003 , 2008 ; Van den Brand et al, 2010 ; Özlü et al, 2020 ). In a recent study, Deines et al (2021) showed that the absolute and relative RYS weights were not different between chicks with immediate and delayed access to feed and water at d 3 after hatching.…”