The effect of different eggshell temperature patterns during incubation on broiler chicken behavior determined by an automatic tracking system

R. Molenaar, E.N. de Haas, T.B. Rodenburg, Lara Olde Bolhaar, H.J. Wijnen, H. van den Brand

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingAbstract

Abstract


In the last decades, it has been generally assumed that a continuous eggshelltemperature (EST) of 37.8ºC throughout incubation optimizes hatchability andhatchling quality. However, recent findings using broiler eggs suggest that a higherEST (38.9ºC) during the second week of incubation or a lower EST (36.7ºC) in the thirdweek of incubation may improve hatchling quality even further. The combination of ahigh and a low EST during incubation has not been investigated before. Furthermore,consequences of EST patterns during incubation on behaviour post hatching such asactivity and anxiety has also never been investigated to our knowledge. The aim of thisstudy was therefore to evaluate effects of EST patterns during incubation on behaviourpost hatching of broiler chickens using an automatic tracking system. Eggs of a Rossflock were incubated in a 2x2 experiment design with a high EST (38.9ºC) or normalEST (37.8ºC) in the second week of incubation and a low EST (36.7ºC) or normal EST(37.8ºC) in the third week of incubation. Post hatching, five males and five females werehoused in a 2 m2 pen with 8 replicates per EST treatment and reared until day 42 of age(n=320). At day 7 and 34 of age, an open field test was performed to evaluate anxiety bysocial isolation in a novel environment (n=128). At day 29 and 40 of age, activity of thebroilers was evaluated using TrackLab (Noldus, Wageningen, The Netherlands; n=64).Chickens of four pens were transported to a PhenoLab test room and placed in 2 m2pens. Measurements started after 15 minutes of acclimatization. The ultra-widebandtracking system TrackLab consisted of active tags that were placed in backpacks on2 males and 2 females per pen. The location of each bird was measured twice everysecond by triangulation of the received signal between four beacons that were placed inevery corner of the test room and was based on the time and the angle of arrival of thesignal. Data of the x,y location of the chickens was obtained by TrackLab and distancemoved (cm) and speed (m/s) from individual chickens of all four EST treatments werecalculated. Results of this study are currently processed and will be presented at the conference.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe XVth European Poultry Conference (EPC)
Subtitle of host publicationConference information and Proceedings
EditorsEstella Prukner-Radovčić, Helga Medić
Place of PublicationZagreb, Croatia
PublisherCroatian Branch of the World's Poultry Science Association
Pages248-248
ISBN (Print)9789082915709
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventThe XVth European Poultry Conference - Dubrovnik, Croatia
Duration: 17 Sept 201821 Sept 2018

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposiumThe XVth European Poultry Conference
Country/TerritoryCroatia
CityDubrovnik
Period17/09/1821/09/18

Keywords

  • compensatory growth
  • delayed nutrition
  • early nutrition

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