INCUBATION TEMPERATURE For most chicken species, the optimum incubation temperature lies between 37.0 and 38.0 o Cen. The optimal value being 37.8 o Cen (100.0 o F ) Embryos are more sensitive to high rather than low temperature.
HUMIDITY DURING INCUBATION : AVIPRO CO LTD CHICK QUALITY In practice Humidity should be set between 50 % nd 55 %. The essential goal for water loss is to create an air cell of sufficient size to engage pulmonary respiration.the best hatch results are obtained when cumulative losses during 18 days of incubation are around 11.0%.( range of 11 to 11.5 %). The % loss is assessed by weighing a few marked eggs trays at incubation and weighing the same trays at transfer time.one can then calculate the % water loss. Eg : one tray = 1800 gms.at transfer time = 1600.LOSS = 200 GMS = 11.1 % LOSS When water loss is less than 7 % the resulting air cell size is insufficient to engage pulmonary respiration.inversely when losses are more than 14 % the risks of dehydration increase.
Overly high humidity during incubation results in insufficient weight loss.the residulal yolk sac becomes enlarged which prevents the navel from closing properly.
Black button navels are caused by incubation temperatures being set too high particularly during the last days of the18 days cycle. Temperatures which are too low during final days of incubation will produce poorly closed navels. AVIPRO CO LTD CHICK QUALITY
AVIPRO CO LTD CHICK QUALITY TRANSFER FROM INCUBATOR TO HATCHER : Ensure that the egg transfer room conditions are suitable : Temperature 25 o Cen and humidity 50 to 55 %. Candling of eggs is not essential.however if the % of clear eggs ( infertiles and early dead embryos ) is high > 10 % it is advisable to remove them and to backfill the empty spaces on the trays with fertile eggs to get a more uniform dispersal of heat and to reduce the chance of eggs to become cold. Check the moisture loss.
HATCHING There is no justification for increasing hatcher temperature. Recommendations are : 19 th day : temp : 36.7 o C to 36.9 o C Ventilation 30 to 50 % 21 st day : temp : 36.1 o C to 36.7 o C - ventilation 50 70 % RECOMMENDED HUMIDITY : 19 th day : 50 to 55 % - 20 th day : 55 to 60 % 21 st day : 60 % and reduced or switched off 3 to 4 hours before pulling the chicks out. When Humidity is too high in the hatcher many chicks hatch with an overly large belly, causing them to struggle to leave the shell.as they press against the shell with their folded legs to get out they cause damage to their hocks in the process.
CARBON DIOXIDE Gas exchange during incubation plays a fundamental role in the development and viability of the embryo, hatch results, growth and physiology of the chick. Molenaar R.et al ( 2010 ) described many trials which demonstrated a progressive increase in CO2 levels during the first 10 days ( up to 0.7 to 1.5 ) of incubation increased embryonic development. Decuypere E.et al ( 2006 ) showed that a progressive increase in CO2 during the first 10 days of incubation increases the CO2 pressure in the air space, accelerates the embryonic development and therefore promotes tighter hatch window.
CARBON DIOXIDE The concentrations of CO2 required during the first part of incubation are not yet well defined but they clearly appear to depend on the breed s growth potential.nevertheless it is probable that a progressive increase up to a level of 0.5 to 0.7 % may be beneficial to the development of the embryo. In contrast high levels of CO2 at the end of incubation may not be beneficial to the embryos as it penalises the development of some organs.theembryos are more likely to develop hypertrophy of the right ventricle and be more sensitive to Ascites. Ventilation must be increased by opening the vents of the hatcher on the 20 th and 21 st day.
AVIPRO CO LTD CHICK QUALITY A major cause of 1 st week mortality on the farm is omphalitis, an infection of the yolk sac. Various bacteria such as coliforms, staphylococcus, streptococcus and proteus may be involved particularly if the hatcher baskets have not been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to transfer. With optimal incubation conditions chicks normally hatch with properly healed navels. If the navels are not closed properly it creates a point of entry for these bacteria
AVIPRO CO LTD CHICK QUALITY TRANSPORT OF DAY OLD CHICKS : Transport of day old chicks from hatchery to the farm has a critical role to play in subsequent performance.if temperature inside the chick boxes rises above 35 o Cen the chicks will start panting in an attempt to maintain an optimal body temperature. Panting results in water loss with the risks of dehydration. Temperature stress causes discomfort and suppresses efficient production particularly if the relative humidity in the air is high > 65 %.Can cause high mortality. The optimal temperature of air circulating inside the truck is dependent on air velocity : the higher the speed of air, the higher the optimal temperature.air must flow uniformly through all the boxes..one has to be very careful when the truck is stuck in traffic jam and not moving.
AVIPRO CO LTD TRUCK TO CARRY CHICKS WITH DOUBLE ROOF TO LOWER TEMPERATURE INSIDE
TANZANIA CHICKS PANTING HEAT STRESSED CHICKS
AVIPRO CO LTD TUNNEL VENTILATION BROILER FARM
Lively and uniform chicks will have a good start and adapt quickly to the new farm environment.
Ist week mortality will be low Feed consumption will be normal yielding good body growth.broilers average weight of 180 to 190 gms at 7 days with top quality feed. Feed conversion will be better.
Chicks will be more resistant to diseases due to presence of adequate maternal antibodies. Chicks will have less adverse reaction to vaccination. Good quality chicks will have a very positive impact on both the technical and financial results of the farmer.
They grow and mature in line with their genetic potential provided that the different types of feed are of good quality and that the environment is favourable.
ASANTE KWAHERI MEET AVIPRO EAST AFRICA AT BOOTH NO 22