Epizootiological investigation of an outbreak of pullorum disease in an integrated broiler operation.

An integrated broiler company experienced a major outbreak of pullorum disease during 1990. The outbreak resulted in the distribution of Salmonella pullorum-infected birds to more than 150 roaster flocks in five states. Twenty-two parent (multiplier) breeder flocks became infected. An epizootiological investigation uncovered a grandparent male line breeder flock as the index flock supplying males to the affected parent flocks. Transmission apparently occurred vertically through the egg and horizontally by contact in the hatcheries and by placement of chicks on contaminated litter.     

Comparison of performance and mortality in the Hybro Normal and Hybro Giant meat poultry breeders and their offspring

The performance and mortality of similarly managed parent flocks of Hybro Normal and Hybro Giant meat poultry was compared. The overall daily egg production at 6–9 months of age was insignificantly greater in the Hybro Normal compared to the Hybro Giant parents (p>0.05). The Hybro Normal parents had a significantly higher average daily egg production (56.08%) compared to that of the Hybro Giant parents (52.03%) during their sixth month of age, one month before the production peak (p<0.05). The Hybro Giant parent-males had a significantly higher average daily mortality during the sixth and seventh months of age compared to the parent males of the Hybro Normal breed (p<0.05); however, the females of the Hybro Normal parents had a significantly higher daily mortality during the sixth month of age compared to the Hybro Giant parent females (p<0.05). The percentage hatchability was significantly lower in eggs collected from the Hybro Giant birds compared to those collected from the Hybro Normal birds during the sixth and ninth months of age.The mean live weights at 45-days old of five flocks of Hybro Normal offspring was 1535 g compared to a mean live weight of 1870 g of five similarly managed flocks of the offspring of the Hybro Giant birds (p<0.05). The feed conversion by the offspring of both breeds was not significantly different (p>0.05). The mean percentage lameness in the five flocks of the offspring was 2.34% for Hybro Normal and 9.26% for Hybro Giant (p<0.05).In summary, the overall performance of the Hybro Normal parent stock was superior to the Hybro Giant breeders regarding egg production and hatchability of their eggs; however, the weight gain of the Hybro Giant broiler flocks was superior to that of the Hybro Normal, but this was associated with a higher incidence of lameness.     

Egg storage and breeder age impact on egg quality and embryo development

Prolonged hatching egg storage (>7 days) influences internal egg quality and embryo survival during both storage and subsequent incubation. Moreover, effects of storage of hatching eggs interact with the breeder age. The aim of this review was to investigate how this interaction between storage duration and breeder age affects egg, embryo, hatchling and chicken characteristics. Prolonged storage resulted in a reduction in egg quality in both young and old breeders. This reduction was more pronounced in young flocks than in older flocks. For example, albumen pH increased more after 8 days of storage in younger flocks than in older flocks. Additionally, the embryonic morphological stage appears to increase as well with storage duration, but this increase is again more pronounced in younger flocks than in older flocks. Short storage (<7 days) seems to increase hatchability of eggs from young breeders, probably as a result of albumen liquefaction with consequently better oxygen availability for the embryo. However, long storage (>7 days) resulted in a decline in hatchability, which was stronger in older breeders than in younger breeders. Prolonged storage duration resulted in lower chicken quality in both young and old breeders, but interaction between storage duration and breeder age on multiple chicken quality parameters is not clear. Based on this review, it can be concluded that (a) Short storage can improve hatchability of eggs from young breeders, but not from older breeders. (b) Negative impact of long storage appears to be lower with young breeders than with old breeders. (c) Adapted storage conditions related to the age of breeders might be an option to reduce negative effects of prolonged storage on hatching egg quality and chicken quality.     

Direct and correlated responses to selection for hatching time in the fowl

Selection over eight generations for a shorter (fast hatching) or longer (slow‐hatching) incubation time in fowls resulted in a difference of 42 h in incubation time. Only minor asymmetry of response was observed since incubation time decreased by 19.8 h in the fast‐hatching line and increased by 22.4 h in the slow‐hatching line. The predicted response was less than that observed, probably because of underestimation of the true selection differentials and a low estimate of heritability used for prediction.

The realised heritability estimates decreased significantly from 0.222 to 0.179 between the first four and the last four generations. The estimate based on all eight generations was 0.199. These values are probably slightly overestimated because of the use of underestimated selection differentials in their calculation. The realised heritability in the original stock was probably between 0.20 and 0.25.

No evidence of correlations between hatchability or egg weight and hatching time was obtained. A significantly lower egg weight in the fast‐hatching line could be accounted for on the basis of random genetic drift.     

肉种鸡血浆极低密度脂蛋白质量浓度双向选择的效应

以父母代肉种鸡为材料，以血浆极低密度脂蛋白（very low density lipoprotein，VLDL）质量浓度为选择指标建立肉鸡高脂系和低脂系，个体测定一世代高、低脂系母鸡产蛋性能、种蛋受精率、孵化率、二世代6周龄体质量，观察血浆VLDL质量浓度选择效应。结果显示，一世代低脂系比高脂系早开产6．7d，低脂系40周龄和54周龄产蛋量显著高于高脂系零世代，一世代低脂系种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、入孵蛋孵化率均优于高脂系；二世代高、低脂系6周龄体质量差异不显著。结果表明，对血浆VLDL质量浓度的低向选择使种鸡产蛋性能、种蛋受精率、孵化率产生了有益的间接反应，但对早期体质量没有影响。     

Risk Factors Associated with Salmonella Status of Broiler Flocks Delivered to Grow‐Out Farms

In a prospective field observational study in the southeastern USA, we sampled gastrointestinal (GI) tracts from chicks of 65 broiler flocks delivered to conventional grow‐out farms for rearing. The flocks were hatched at seven broiler hatcheries. The mean within‐flock prevalence of Salmonella‐positive samples was 6.5% and ranged from 0% to 86.7%. Of the 65 flocks studied, 25 (38.5%) had at least one Salmonella‐positive sample. Accounting for confounding variability among the hatcheries and broiler companies, we tested whether the probability of detecting Salmonella in GI tracts of the chicks delivered was associated with certain characteristics of parent breeder flocks; hatchery production volume; hatchery ventilation system; hatchery egg‐room conditions; egg incubation, candling, hatching, eggshell and bird separation, and bird‐processing procedures; management of hatchery‐to‐farm transportation; day of week of hatch; weather conditions during transportation; or season of the hatch. Two risk factor models were adopted. The first model indicated that a greater number of parent flocks, manual separation of eggshell and bird, and a greater amount of fluff and feces on tray liners used during hatchery‐to‐farm transportation at delivery were associated with increased probability of detecting Salmonella in chick GI tracts, whereas a greater number of birds in the delivery vehicle was associated with decreased probability. The second model indicated that broiler flocks hatched on Tuesdays versus either Mondays or Thursdays (with no hatches on Wednesdays, Fridays or week‐ends), increased average hatchability of the eggs from the parent flocks, and greater amounts of fluff and feces on the transport tray liners at delivery were all associated with increased probability of detecting Salmonella in chick GI tracts. The results of this study suggest potential management decisions to lessen Salmonella contamination of broilers supplied by commercial hatcheries and areas for further research.     

Methods to improve the hatchability of checked chicken eggs

1. The hatchability of checked Leghorn and broiler parent hatching eggs was significantly improved by shell treatment: smearing with synthetic adhesive resin (Fevicol), or pasting cellophane tape or insulation tape over the checked portion of the shell. 2. Shell damage reduced hatchability by increasing evaporative loss, leading to embryonic dehydration. 3. Relative chick weight, expressed as a percentage of egg weight was lower in untreated checked eggs but comparable between intact and shell-treated hatching eggs. 4. The cost of chick production can be reduced by shell treatment of checked hatching eggs, especially in broiler parent eggs.     

籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对孵化效果影响的研究

本试验旨在研究不同水平蛋重与蛋形指数对籽鹅种蛋孵化效果的影响,进而总结出种蛋筛选的最佳方案,为籽鹅个体、家系种蛋的选留及籽鹅的繁衍、孵化、生产提供科学参考。选取二年籽鹅种蛋2 469枚,蛋重为94.8~154.4 g,平均蛋重（123.3±9.5）g;蛋形指数为1.24~1.63,平均蛋形指数1.45±0.05。采用2因素4水平试验设计,将所有种蛋按蛋重与蛋形指数分成16个孵化组（蛋重与蛋形指数分别分为4个水平）,测量每枚种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数,并在蛋壳上做好编号,在相同孵化条件、同一孵化设备中进行两次孵化试验。结果表明,①蛋重<118.0 g组种蛋受精率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,125.0~131.9 g组次之,且受精蛋孵化率随着蛋重增大升高;125.0~131.9 g组种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重最大。②蛋形指数在1.47~1.51组种蛋受精率及种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>1.51组次之;1.47~1.51组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,1.42~1.46组次之。分析以上结果可得出：籽鹅种蛋蛋重对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重有显著影响（P<0.05）,以籽鹅蛋重在125.0~154.4 g为宜;蛋形指数对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率亦有显著影响（P<0.05）,对种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重无影响（P>0.05）,以蛋形指数在1.47~1.51为宜。籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重的影响均存在交互作用。其中,蛋形指数对种蛋孵化健雏率的影响较蛋重强,其作为单一因素对鹅雏出生重无影响。以上结果表明,以蛋重或蛋形指数任一因素作为种蛋筛选的依据都不科学,应综合考虑以达到种蛋优选的目的。     

Performance of lines selected for fast‐and slow‐hatching times and crosses among them 1

1. Males of a control line and two lines selected for fast‐ and slow‐hatching were mated to females of the same three pure lines and three crosses between them. Hatchability, egg weight and hatching time were measured.

2. No significant differences were found between genetic groups in hatchability.

3. Groups containing the fast‐hatching line genotypes were significantly smaller in egg weight than those not containing this line.

4. Significant differences in hatching time existed between male lines and between female lines within pure and cross‐line parent types while no differences were observed between the female parent types and no interactions of male by female lines occurred.

5. It was concluded that inbreeding in the pure lines (10%) did not affect any of the variables measured.

6. The results on hatching time support the conclusion that little genetic variance other than additive variance is involved for this trait.     

京白父母代及商品代鸡生产性能观测

参照“京白鸡饲养管理标准”,在乐都县种鸡场、大通县鸡兔良种场对京白父母代和商品代鸡(京白823)的生产性能测试结果:父母代鸡的见蛋日龄为123—134天,72周龄饲养日产蛋量为212—216枚,种蛋受精率为95％—95.3％,受精蛋孵化率为80％—81.2％,饲料转化率(蛋料比)为1:2.56—1:2.9;商品代鸡的见蛋日龄为127—129天,72周龄饲养日产蛋量为204—219枚,蛋料比为1:2.83—1:3.04,其产蛋量高于省内同级鸡场及群众饲养的其它鸡种。     

Impact of Hatching Egg Weight and Egg Shape Index on Hatching Results in Zi Goose

This paper was aimed to study the impact of hatching egg weights and egg shape indexs on hatching of Zi goose,and then sum up the best scheme for hatching eggs screening,so as to provide scientific reference for the selection and retention of Zi goose individuals and family hatching eggs,as well as the breeding and incubation production.2469 hatching eggs of Zi geese of the second year were chosen with the weight range of 94.8 to 154.4 g and an average weight of (123.3±9.5) g;the egg shape index range was 1.24~1.63 and the average index was 1.45±0.05.Using 2 factors 4 levels test design,the weight and the shape index of eggs were divided into four levels and all the eggs were separated into 16 hatching groups.The weight and the shape index were measured and labeled on eggshells.Two hatching experiments were conducted in the same instrument and the hatching conditions were same.The results showed that:① Egg fertility rate was the highest in egg weight <118.0 g group,followed by >131.9 g group;Hatchability of fertilized eggs was the highest in >131.9 g group,followed by 125.0~131.9 g group,and the hatchability of fertilized eggs increased along with the increase of egg weight;The highest healthy chick rate of breeding egg hatching lay in 125.0~131.9 g group,followed by >131.9 g group;The highest breeding egg hatching gosling birth weight lay in >131.9 group.② When egg shape index was between 1.47 to 1.51,the egg fertility rate and healthy chick rate were the highest,followed by >1.51 group;In the group 1.47 to 1.51,hatchability of fertilized eggs was the highest,followed by 1.42 to 1.46 group.In conclusion,hatching egg weight of Zi goose had significant impact on egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs,healthy chick rate and gosling birth weight (P<0.05),and the egg weight of Zi goose between 125.0~154.4 g was advisable;on the other hand,egg shape index also had significant impact on egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs and healthy chick rate (P<0.05),but had no impact on gosling birth weight (P>0.05),and the egg shape index between 1.47 to 1.51 was appropriate.Egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs,healthy chick rate and gosling birth weight were affected by interaction of egg weight and shape index.Compared with the weight of eggs,the egg shape index had greater influence on healthy geese rate.The egg shape index had no direct impact on birth weight of young geese,but it could be influenced by the interaction between the egg shape index and the weight.Thus it was not very scientific to take either the weight or the index as the only basis for choosing qualified hatching eggs.     

鸡的人工授精与自然交配种蛋孵化对比试验

该试验选用鸡的人工授精种蛋９４０枚及自然交配种蛋９６０枚,做了鸡的人工授精与自然资本种蛋孵化试验,结果表明：鸡人工授精后６ｄ内种蛋受精率平均为９４．５％,７ｄ后,受经极显著降低;人工授精后的种蛋受经及入孵种蛋孵化率均极显著高于自然交配组,两两者的受精种蛋孵化率无明显差异;另外,在试验过程中,还研究了种蛋贮存时间与化结果的关系,发现种蛋贮存期越短,孵化效果越好,贮存期最长不应超过７ｄ。     

Effect of sight barriers in pens of breeding ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) II. Reproductive parameters

1. The effects of sight barriers in the pens of breeding ring-necked pheasants were investigated on a commercial game farm over a 10-week laying season. 2. Reproductive performance was recorded as egg production, numbers of eggs rejected for hatching together with measures of fertility, embryonic mortality and hatchability for 11 pens with barriers and 11 pens that were left open and acted as controls. 3. Egg production per pen and the numbers of rejected eggs were not significantly affected by the presence of the barriers. 4. Fertility was significantly higher and persisted for longer in the barrier pens, particularly towards the end of the laying season. 5. Embryonic mortality was unaffected by the presence of the barriers but hatchability was significantly lower in the open pens, which was associated with lower levels of fertility. 6. Establishing sight barriers in breeder pens for commercial pheasants would appear not only to offer improved welfare but also significant commercial advantages.     

Effect of pre-incubation storage conditions on hatchability,chick weight at hatch and hatching time in broiler breeders

1. Eggs were stored for two different times at varying temperatures. The effects on hatchability, chick weight at hatch and hatching time were examined in two broiler breeder lines from 33 to 58 weeks of age. 2. Short storage (1 to 3 d). Storage at 20 degrees C compared with 16.5 degrees C reduced hatchability of all eggs set. No effect was observed on hatchability of fertile eggs, hatching time or chick weight. 3. Long storage (9 to 11 d). Storage at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C decreased both hatchability of fertile eggs and chick weight at hatch. Incidence of early embryonic death increased and incubation time decreased at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C. 4. Chicks from morning eggs were heavier than those from afternoon eggs irrespective of storage conditions. 5. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) and chick weight varied with hen age irrespective of storage conditions. During long storage, hatching time varied with hen age independently of breeder line, storage temperature or egg laying time. 6. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) was higher in line A than in line B. Line B eggs hatched later and produced heavier chicks than line A eggs irrespective of storage time.     

Comparison of hatchability and some egg quality characteristics in spotted and unspotted partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs

The current research was conducted to determine the comparison of hatchability and some egg quality characteristics in spotted and unspotted partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs. The research was carried out on 51 male and 102 female chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) aged 50 wk, which were raised at the Research and Application Farm of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Selcuk University. In total, 244 spotted and 261 unspotted eggs were used in the research. The hatching eggs were stored at 75% RH and 13°C for 14 d. Thirty spotted and 30 unspotted eggs laid on the same day were used for the evaluation of egg quality characteristics. Egg weight, chick weight, egg weight loss during the hatching period, shape index, hatchability, and some egg quality characteristics were evaluated at the end of the research. Spotted eggs exhibited a higher fertility and hatchability, as well as a lower percentage egg weight loss and embryonic mortality when compared with unspotted eggs. No significant differences were observed between spotted and unspotted eggs for egg weight, chick weight, shape index, specific gravity, albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk color green-red chromaticity (a*), albumen pH, and yolk pH. Spotted eggs had higher eggshell color a*, eggshell color blue-yellow chromaticity (b*), and eggshell strength, as well as a lower eggshell color light-dark chromaticity (L*), yolk color L*, and yolk color b* scores when compared with unspotted eggs. It was demonstrated that spots on the eggshells of chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) improved their hatchability by affecting various quality characteristics of their eggs. It was concluded that spotted eggs are more suitable for hatching.     

Effect of intensity of eggshell pigment and illuminated incubation on hatchability of brown eggs

The effects of intensity of brown eggshell pigment (light (LBP), medium (MBP) and dark (DBP)) and light intensity during incubation (low and high, 900 to 1380 and 1430 to 2080 lux, respectively) on eggshell characteristics, embryonic growth, hatchability traits, chick hatching weight and hatching time were investigated using eggs from a meat-type breeder (Hybro) flock at 32, 36 and 41 weeks of age in three trials. With eggs of similar weights the intensity of brown pigment was not associated with eggshell weight and thickness, and did not influence embryo weight and egg weight loss during incubation. The shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by young hens influenced the percentage hatchability (HP) of eggs incubated under light. Illuminated incubation improved HP of LBP eggs (compared with MBP and DBP eggs) from 32- and 36-week-old hens, but had no significant effect on HP of eggs from 41-week-old hens. Light intensity during incubation did not influence egg weight loss. High intensity of light during incubation reduced HP and increased early death percentage (EDP) in the LBP and MBP groups, and did not influence HP and EDP in the DBP group. Brown eggshell pigment and intensity of light during incubation did not influence hatching time. It is concluded that the shade of brown pigment, intensity of light during incubation and age of the breeder hens influenced the hatchability performance of embryos from brown eggs. Light during incubation improved the hatchability of embryos in light brown eggs laid by young hens and the shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by older hens did not influence hatchability under illuminated incubation. High intensity of light during incubation reduced hatchability of light and medium brown eggs, but not the dark brown eggs.     

不同限饲水平对产蛋期肉种鸭生产性能的影响

本研究旨在探讨不同限饲水平对产蛋期肉种鸭生产性能和孵化指标的影响。试验选取 ４０周龄父母代 ＳＭ３樱桃谷种鸭 ３２００只（母鸭 ２６００只,公鸭 ６００只）,随机分成 ４组,每组 ５个重复,每个重复 １６０只鸭（母鸭 １３０只,公鸭 ３０只）。以玉米 －豆粕 －小麦型配合饲料（代谢能 １１．５０ＭＪ／ｋｇ,粗蛋白质 １８．００％）为基础饲粮。Ｔ１组日饲喂料量最大,为每只鸭 ２２５ｇ,其他组依次降低 １５ｇ,分别为 ２１０（Ｔ２组）、１９５（Ｔ３组）和 １８０ｇ（Ｔ４组）,试验期 ３５ｄ。结果表明：１）当日饲喂料量由２２５ｇ下降到２１０ｇ时,公、母鸭的体增重均显著下降（Ｐ＜０．０５）,产蛋率略有上升,蛋重略有下降,但二者变化均不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）,当日饲喂料量继续下降到 １９５和 １８０ｇ时,与日饲喂料量 ２２５ｇ时相比,公、母鸭体增重、产蛋率和蛋重均显著下降（Ｐ＜０．０５）;２）经回归分析,公、母鸭体增重、产蛋率、蛋重与日饲喂料量有显著的直线或二次曲线关系（Ｐ＜０．０５）,产蛋率与蛋重之间也有显著的二次曲线关系（Ｐ＜０．０５）;３）日饲喂料量对种鸭死淘率及种蛋合格率、受精率、健雏率、入孵蛋孵化率和受精蛋孵化率均无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）。结果提示,适当限制饲喂料量可降低体增重,提高产蛋率,但过度限饲会影响生产性能。     

Stability of dietary ascorbic acid and the effect of supplementation on reproductive performance of broiler breeder chickens

1. The purpose of the study was to determine the stability of dietary ascorbic acid and the reproductive responses of broiler breeder chickens to supplemental 75 mg ascorbic acid/kg diet. 2. Six breeder flocks of 13,000 birds each were studied. Egg production, eggshell porosity, fertility, hatchability and plasma ascorbic acid were measured. 3. Storage of the diets under dry heat resulted in a linear decrease in ascorbic acid content and the rate of decline was 5-fold higher in the supplemented diet. 4. Differences were not detected between treatments in egg production, egg weight, eggshell porosity, fertility, hatchability or plasma ascorbic acid. 5. The results did not provide evidence of a beneficial reproductive response to the inclusion of ascorbic acid in commercial broiler breeder diets.     

Divergent selection for shape of growth curve in Japanese quail. 6. Hatching time,hatchability and embryo mortality

1. Hatching time, hatchability of fertile eggs and embryo mortality under standard egg storage (1 or 5 days at 12?±?1°C and 55% relative humidity) and incubation conditions (37·5?±?0·2°C and 50% relative humidity) were analysed in lines long-term selected for high (HG) and low (LG) relative weight gain between 11 and 28?d of age, respectively, and constant body weight at 49?d of age.

2. Egg storage duration did not have an effect on average hatching time. LG quail, characterised by a fast postnatal growth rate immediately after hatching, hatched earlier than HG quail with a low early growth rate (about 391 vs. 406?h after egg setting, respectively).

3. In contrast to hatching time, the hatchability of fertile eggs was influenced by line as well as egg storage duration. Extended storage decreased hatching success in both lines. However, LG eggs exhibited a higher hatchability than HG eggs (1?d storage: 96·0 vs. 82·5%; 5?d storage: 88·7 vs. 72·7%, respectively).

4. Lower hatchability resulted mostly from a higher frequency of embryo death during early (up to d 7) and late (d 14 and later) phases of incubation.

5. An inadequate nutrient supply to embryos in consequence of developmental delay seems to be a key factor decreasing viability of embryos during incubation.