Effects of pre-hatch thermal programming on hatching period and chick quality of crossbred chickens
Faizal Andri1*, Edhy Sudjarwo1, Filoza Marwi1, and Ani Atul Arif1

1Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
*Corresponding author: f.andri[at]ub.ac.id

Abstract

Incubation conditions play a crucial role in determining hatchery performances. This study evaluated the effects of pre-hatch thermal programming on the hatching duration and chick quality of crossbred chickens. A total of 200 fertile eggs were randomly and evenly distributed across four treatment groups, each with five replicates (10 eggs/replicate). T0 served as the control with standard incubation at 37.5 degree C and 55% RH throughout the entire hatching period. T1, T2, and T3 were pre-hatch thermal programming by applying standard incubation but with increasing incubation condition at 39.5 degree C and 65% RH at 10-18 embryonic days for 2 h/day, 4 hours/day, and 6 hours/day, respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, with post-hoc Duncan test. The results showed that pre-hatch thermal programming had a significant impact (P<0.05) on both the hatching period and chick quality of crossbred chickens. It could be concluded that pre-hatch thermal programming is substantial to support hatching period and chick quality of crossbred chickens.

Keywords: chick quality, climate change, crossbred chickens, hatching period, thermal programming,

Topic: Sustainable Animal Production Systems