Incubation and hatching conditions of laying hen chicks explain a large part of the stress effects from commercial large-scale hatcheries

Abstract

In commercial egg production, laying hen chicks are exposed to several stressful events during incubation, hatching, and their first hours in life. We have previously shown that hatching and processing are associated with increased corticosterone concentration and further affect behavior and stress sensitivity in a short- as well as long-term perspective. However, it is not known whether these long-term stress effects are caused by the hatchery processing (sex sorting, vaccination, conveying, and loading for transport) or if they are mainly caused by potentially stressful events before processing, during incubation and hatching. In the present study, the aim was to assess the effects of incubation and hatching only, compared to stress effects from the entire hatchery processing. We compared Lohmann LSL chicks incubated, hatched, and processed in a commercial hatchery with chicks incubated and hatched at the same time but not further processed. We studied behavior in a novel arena and during tonic immobility, as well as weight development and corticosterone reaction during a stress challenge. Processed chicks had poorer weight development and were more active in the novel arena test. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in corticosterone reactivity or tonic immobility. When comparing with previous data, both groups had elevated corticosterone concentrations compared to what we had previously reported from chicks hatched under calm and non-stressful conditions. In conclusion, incubation and hatching alone caused long-term stress effects in chickens, but further processing exacerbated these effects to some extent.

The effects of a quillaja and yucca combination on performance and carcass traits of coccidia-vaccinated broilers exposed to an enteric disease challenge

“…While this figure is 2 to 3 times greater than commercial industry averages, it is typical for cases where acute NE has occurred ( M'Sadeq et al., 2015b ; Hofacre et al., 2018 ), and is a reasonable representation of commercial mortality following the elimination of growth promoting antibiotics and anticoccidial ionophores ( Hofacre et al., 2018 ). Table 2 also illustrates that both coccidial lesions and total mortality were significantly reduced by QY administration ( P < 0.05), an observation that has been made in several previous reports ( Bafundo et al., 2021a , b ).…”

“…Reports describing their effects on Eimeria spp. and improved performance of coccidia-vaccinated broilers are recent evidence of these responses ( Bafundo et al., 2020 ; 2021a ).…”

Stress during Commercial Hatchery Processing Induces Long-Time Negative Cognitive Judgement Bias in Chickens

“…We have previously shown that levels of plasma CORT in commercially hatched chicks are, compared to controls, elevated immediately after hatch, and this has lasting effects up to 20 weeks of age [ 1 ]. Furthermore, we found that a major part of the long-lasting stress effects are caused by events occurring before the processing at the hatchery [ 2 ]. Based on the results from the present study, we conclude that these stress effects mainly derive from the perinatal period and the time shortly after hatch.…”

Growth performance, organ attributes, nutrient and caloric utilization in broiler chickens differing in growth rates when fed a corn-soybean meal diet with multienzyme supplement containing phytase, protease and fiber degrading enzymes

“…On the other hand, several studies have shown that addition of exogenous enzyme products in corn-soybean meal based diets can also increase digestibility of CP ( Zanella et al., 1999 ; D'Alfonso, 2005 ; Cowieson and Ravindran, 2008 ). The indigestible feed components are exceedingly complex and it has been suggested enzyme composites beyond the simple core mixes of xylanases, cellulases, and β-glucanases can exploit synergistic benefits generated by this class of enzymes ( Kiarie et al., 2020 ; Ward, 2021 ). Thus, effects of MES on components retention may be linked to the side activities.…”

“…The main target activities for the grower were similar to that of starter with the exception of protease at 3,750 PROT/kg of feed. The MES was also rich in a wide range of side activities such as arabinofuranosidase, exoarabinase, pectin lyase, and pectin methyl esterase ( Sluis et al, 2017 ; Kiarie et al., 2020 ; Ward, 2020 ) considered important in facilitating accessibility of complex substrates to the main activities ( Mohnen, 2008 ; Rytioja et al., 2014 ; Ward, 2021 ). Inclusion of MES accounted for the recommended nutrient contributions.…”