May be departments within the same or different companiesBudgets / Targets

Poor communication between departments

Breeder Farms

Hatchery

Broiler Farms

High chick mortalityUneven size

Poor weight gain in first week

“You sent us poor genetics”

“You don’t know how to incubate eggs”

“You sent us poor quality eggs

“You sent us poor quality chicks”

“You don’t know how to look after chicks”

Do not put it into a filing cabinet

and ignore it

TAKE ACTION

What Do We Do With Data?

• Collect data on

• Eggshell temperature.

• Chick vent temperatures.

• Egg water loss.

• Chick yield.

• Break out data.

• Hatch window.

• Chicks & eggs uniformity.

• What do we do with it all?

We Need the Right Tools to

do the Job

MaintenanceFire Fighting Preventative Maintenance

Useful Equipment for Analyzing

Hatchery Problems

Angle Locator

The angle locator provides a way of checking the turning angles of the eggs in incubation.

These eggs are turning only 31 degrees. Adjustments need to be made to provide uniform airflow.

The eggs should turn a minimum of 42 degrees. The angle locator shows an angle of only 35 degrees.

The Procedure for Measuring Eggshell Temperature

• The only equipment required for measuring eggshell temperature is a medical infrared ear thermometer.

• It is recommended to use a Braun ThermoScan 4520.

Themo-neutral zone for chicks= Rectal temperature of 104 – 105°F or 40 – 40.5°C

Use of rectal temperaturesUse of rectal temperatures

1” (2.5cm) insertion1” (2.5cm) insertion

From Donna Hill (HatchTech)

10 second technology

Vane Anemometer (Airflow Meter)

This meter can be used to check for drafts on the eggs or chicks. It can also be used to measure the airflow from the fans in the incubation equipment.

This fan blade is positioned too high and is only moving air at the rate of 2143 fpm. This is a reduction of 193 fpm of air from the slide shown earlier, which is equal to 52.6 miles less air each day.

Sling Psychrometer

Handy for checking wet and dry bulb temperatures to determine relative humidity levels in each hatchery area.

A sling psychrometer can be used to check the room dry and wet bulb temperatures. The slide scale allows conversion to relative humidity.

Static Air Pressure Gauge

A portable “Magnehelic” gauge is handy for checking the air pressure in rooms, ducts and plenums. A gauge with a zero center is needed to observe both positive and negative conditions.

The static air pressure in the incubator exhaust duct inlets should be controlled at 0.01 negative.

If the exhaust plenums are power exhausted, the static air pressure should be controlled between a balanced and 0.0025 negative level.

Stroboscope/Tachometer (Strobe Light)

This device is useful for checking fan motor rpm’s and for detecting bent or damaged fan blades.

A strobe light can be used to check the fan motor rpm’s and is also useful for locating bent or damaged fan blades.

This photo shows a bent fan blade. When placed on a flat surface, all four blades should touch the surface.

Digital Thermometer

Ideal for calibrating controls of incubation equipment. Also used to check infertile egg temperatures. The flashlight is used to find infertile eggs.

When eggs are prewarmed for three hours, the egg temperatures vary greatly throughout the racks resulting in hatches that are not uniform.

Meat Probe Thermometer

This pointed thermometer can be used to check egg temperatures at the farms and upon arrival at the hatchery.

Water Pressure Gauges

The gauges are adapted to fit any type humidity nozzle. The water pressure should be checked at the humidity nozzles.

Smoke Generators and Smoke Tubes

Smoke generators are ideal for checking empty incubators and hatchers for leaks and proper exhaust. The smoke tubes are handy for detecting air leaks around the doors of the rooms and incubation equipment.

Sound Meter

The sound meter measures the dB level of noise in any area.

Ammeter

This device can check voltage and amperage loads. It is handy in a hatchery for checking the amp loads on the incubator and hatcher heaters.

Walkie-Talkies

These units can be very useful when one person is working on the roof-top ventilation equipment and another is operating the controls in the rooms.

Long-term COLong-term CO22 diffusion tubes diffusion tubes

Low TechLow TechGives the average COGives the average CO22 level level over a period of up to 10 over a period of up to 10 hourshours

Gastec Carbon Dioxide Passive Dosi-Tube No. 2DGastec Carbon Dioxide Passive Dosi-Tube No. 2D

Positive air pressure forces air to other hatchery areas and also influences the exhaust systems on the incubation equipment.

Ideal Room Pressure

The adjustable motor pulleys on the air moving equipment can be set to help control the static air pressure in each room.

The incubator door gaskets must be kept in good repair to prevent air leakage.

The water eliminators must be kept clean to allow the proper flow of air, heat and humidity out of the air ducts.

This photo shows a bent fan blade. When placed on a flat surface, all four blades should touch the surface.

Rust around a fan mounting bracket bolt is an indication that the bolt is loose. The fan boards should be checked often for indications of water leaks.

Hatchery TargetsHatchery Targets• Hatch of al l eggs setHatch of al l eggs set• Hatch of ferti le eggsHatch of ferti le eggs

Hatch of all eggs set

(%)

81.1

84.0

Fertility

(%)

91.6

94.9

Hatch of fertile eggs

(%)

88.5

88.5

Hatchery 1

Hatchery 2

Hatchery 2 is doing better than Hatchery 1 ?

Hatcheries are performing the same

Farm supplying Hatchery 2 is better

Rahn, Ar and Paganelli, 1979Rahn, Ar and Paganelli, 1979

= 12% weight loss to pipping+ 3% during hatching process

= 15% egg weight loss during total incubation

From the smallest to the largestFrom the smallest to the largest

No matter which bird . . .No matter which bird . . .

. . . or where or how it builds its nest. . . or where or how it builds its nest

Every bird follows the same rules . .Every bird follows the same rules . .

12% weight loss 12% weight loss to pipping of to pipping of the eggshellthe eggshell

100%100% 88%88%

12%12%

At transfer time, about one-third of each egg should be consumed by the air cell if the desired moisture loss is taking place. The air cell in the egg on the right only consumes about one-fifth of the egg. With today's birds, we need to lose about 14% of the weight of the eggs from set time to transfer.

Correct weight loss gives correct sizeCorrect weight loss gives correct sizeof air space from which the embryoof air space from which the embryo

can ventilate it’s air sacscan ventilate it’s air sacs

AIS-CM-02

Red Hocks

Not enough Egg Weight Loss?Not enough Egg Weight Loss?

.

EggsEggsNeed to loseNeed to lose12% of their12% of theirfreshfresh weight to weight totransfertransfer

ChicksChicks67% of the67% of thefreshfresh egg eggweightweight

HatcheryHatcheryTargetsTargets

Chicks should weigh Chicks should weigh 67-69% 67-69% of theof the

fresh egg weightfresh egg weight

At Chick Take-offAt Chick Take-off

• Hatcheries tend to know only the egg 'setting weight’, not the fresh egg weight

• Some weight loss will have occurred in storage

Egg weight loss and chick yieldEgg weight loss and chick yield

For egg storage of about one week:•Try to lose 11.5% of egg setting weight by transfer to

hatcher

•Try to get a chick yield of 67.5% of the egg setting weight

For egg storage of about two weeks:•Try to lose 11% of egg setting weight by transfer to hatcher

•Try to get a chick yield of 68% of the egg setting weight

Egg weight loss and chick yieldEgg weight loss and chick yield

AIS-CM-02

Red Hocks

AIS-CM-02

Egg TurningEgg Turning

• Visual recording of egg tray positions important• Every 3 hours• 45° angle

Egg turning during incubation

• Turning during 3-7 days of incubation is Turning during 3-7 days of incubation is criticalcritical

• Sub-embryonic fluid is forming in this time Sub-embryonic fluid is forming in this time periodperiod

Sub-embryonic fluid (SEF)

OO22

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 4 8 12 16 20Days of incubation

Wat

er (g)

Albumen Sub-embryonic fluidFrom Ar (1991). From Ar (1991). InIn “Avian Incubation”. Edited S. G. Tullett “Avian Incubation”. Edited S. G. Tullett

Water content of albumen and sub-embryonic fluidWater content of albumen and sub-embryonic fluidTurningTurningCriticalCritical33 77

69.3 20 °

78.9 30°

84.6 45 °

28 no turning

78 1-7 days

95 1-14 days

92 1-18dys

Critical Times During IncubationCritical Times During IncubationFor Egg TurningFor Egg Turning

0-18 days – 78.6%0-18 days – 78.6% 0 days – 50%0 days – 50%

3-7 days – 76.9%3-7 days – 76.9%

Tullet & Deeming, 1986Tullet & Deeming, 1986

0-3 & 7-18 days – 42.9%0-3 & 7-18 days – 42.9%

We rely too much on new technologyWe rely too much on new technology

Our Our computers computers may think may think everything is everything is OKOKBut, why not But, why not ask the ask the embryos embryos how they how they feel ?feel ?

Single-Stage Setter

37.0

37.5

38.0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Days of Incubation

Tem

pera

ture

('C)

HeatingHeating

CoolingCooling

+36.2 °C

+37.0 °C

+37.8 °C

Infertile or Infertile or deaddead

FertileFertile

• Have been incubatingHave been incubating eggs from abouteggs from about 400 BC in Egypt.400 BC in Egypt.

• And, achieved good And, achieved good hatchability without the hatchability without the use of electronic sensors, use of electronic sensors, microprocessors and microprocessors and plasma screens.plasma screens.

At least1.6°F

102.7F 102.2F

101.1F100.6F

103.8F

83.8F(Chick Master Avida)

Measuring Eggshell temperaturesMeasuring Eggshell temperatures

Measuring Incubation Temperature

Simple methods are available for measuring shell temperature

The Procedure for Measuring Eggshell Temperature

• The only equipment required for measuring eggshell temperature is a medical infrared ear thermometer.

• It is recommended to use a Braun ThermoScan 4520.

37.4

37.6

37.8

38.0

38.2

38.4

0 10 20 30Day of I ncubat ion

Tem

pera

ture

°C

Air I nternal Sur face

Relationship between incubator air, eggshell and internal egg temperatures. (French, 1997)

Multi Stage Examples

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Day of Incubation

Sh

ell

Tem

peratu

re (

F)

Danger

Risk

Ideal

Risk

Delayedhatch

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Day of Incubation

Sh

ell

Tem

peratu

re (

F)

Danger

Risk

Ideal

Risk

Delayedhatch

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Day of Incubation

Sh

ell

Tem

peratu

re (

F)

Danger

Risk

Ideal

Risk

Delayedhatch

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Hatchability & Shell Temperature

• Increased shell temperature from day 10

• Highest shell temperature - day 18 (40.5oC)

• All shell temperatures above 38.0oC

• Hatchability related to shell temperature

Hatchability & Shell Temperature

AIS-CM-02

AIS-CM-02

AIS-02

3.

Leg DuplicatioLeg Duplication.n.

Anomalies.Anomalies.

Aisz-2002

AIS-02

1-6

Conclusions

• Shell temperature depended on position in incubator

• High shell temperatures caused lower hatchability (late

dead & culled chicks)

• High shell temperatures caused by low air velocity

Shell & Air Temperature v Air Velocity

But…..the hatch window is also influenced……

The Hatch WindowThe Hatch Window

Cumulat

ive

perc

enta

ge o

f ch

icks

hat

ched

Pull

IdealIdealHatch WindowHatch Window

1

-30h

30

1

Cumulat

ive

perc

enta

ge o

f ch

icks

hat

ched

-20h-30h Pull

IdealIdealHatch WindowHatch Window

30

90

1

Cumulat

ive

perc

enta

ge o

f ch

icks

hat

ched

-10h-20h-30h Pull

IdealIdealHatch WindowHatch Window

Hatch WindowHatch Window

A Key Observation:A Key Observation:

30 hours before hatch take-off, 30 hours before hatch take-off, should be no more than 1% of chicks should be no more than 1% of chicks hatchedhatched

Chicks hatching too early lose weight Chicks hatching too early lose weight and begin to dehydrate in the hatcherand begin to dehydrate in the hatcher

Chick Take-OffChick Take-Off

A Key Observation:

Exterior of eggshells should not be too Exterior of eggshells should not be too dirtydirty

Observations when pulling the hatch

Eggshells Eggshells should be should be relatively relatively cleanclean

Want clean eggs at chick take-offWant clean eggs at chick take-off

Clean eggs mean better chick quality,Clean eggs mean better chick quality,better broiler performance, morebetter broiler performance, more

profitprofit

Eggshells should be no dirtier than these:Eggshells should be no dirtier than these:

RecordsRecordsLook in the hatcher baskets atLook in the hatcher baskets atchick take-offchick take-off

Record the dirtiness of the worstRecord the dirtiness of the worst5 eggs on each tray on a scale of 1-55 eggs on each tray on a scale of 1-5

Record to Setter, Flock Age and EggRecord to Setter, Flock Age and EggStorage PeriodStorage Period

1 2 3 4 5

XX

Some chicks (~5%) still Some chicks (~5%) still damp on neckdamp on neck

475

480

485

490

495

500

26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

Flock Age (weeks)

Incu

bat

ion

period

(ho

urs)

Shanawany, British Poultry Science, 1984Shanawany, British Poultry Science, 1984

Egg storage adds at least 40 minutes perEgg storage adds at least 40 minutes perday of storage.day of storage.Incubation period may vary with seasonIncubation period may vary with season

10h

WeightWeightGainGain

+ 10 g+ 10 g

7 days7 days

Live weight correlation

+ 40-50g+ 40-50g

35 days35 days

Effect of holding temperature on chick gut development

Goblet cells stained blue

Picture courtesy of Malheiros and Ferket, NCSU

Incubation Research

• There has been a recent upsurge of interest in incubation research

• 50% increase of papers in Poultry Science in last 5 years

• Why?

Understanding that incubation is not just about hatchability, it is about post hatch performance

Are Your Chicks Comfortable?

Chick boxes in dispatch areaChick boxes in dispatch area

Photograph by Mike Czarick, University of GeorgiaPhotograph by Mike Czarick, University of Georgia

Ideal or thermal neutral zone

• Evenly spread in the boxes

• 103F-105F vent temp

• Little noise

• Chicks breathe quietly through their nostrils

Can we measure ?

• Chick comfort can be determined by measuring Chick vent temperature.

YES

Measuring Chick Vent Temperature

Chick Temperature

• Overheating or chilling chicks either in the hatcher or chick holding room will stress the chick and reduce broiler performance

Chick Temperatures Can Identify Problems

• Example from a hatcher

• Cool zone where water from humidity nozzle spraying onto hatcher baskets

• Chicks chilled and slow hatching

Optimum chick vent temperatures

•103-105 F

•When and where ???

•Hatchers, chick rooms, chick truck and on arrival at farms.

•Observe chicks behavior and check near walls, doors and fans .

Recommended Post hatch Climate Settings

• Chick handling ,holding rooms and truck

• 75-79F

• 50 to 60% RH

• 500-600 ppm CO2

• Sufficient but gentle airflow.

In box Temperatures

•Aim for 30C-87 F to 33C- 92 F inside the box

•Vent temps between 103F-39.5C and 105 F-40.5C

Chick Temperature

• Overheating or chilling chicks either in the hatcher or chick holding room will stress the chick and reduce broiler performance

Conclusion

• Post hatch chick vent temperatures 103-105F

• Avoid cold drafts

• Avoid hot spots

• Keep them at thermal neutral temperature to ensure the best possible start so they will achieve its full growth potential

Not all eggs hatch to giveNot all eggs hatch to givea normal healthy chicka normal healthy chick

But, what losses are normal ?But, what losses are normal ?

Causes for Losses in Hatchability.

Fertility

Early Mortality

Mid Mortality

Late Mortality & Pips

42 %

28 %

24 %

6 %

Source: Dr. Keith Bramwell. University of Arkansas. (2002)

Probability of embryo losses through days of incubation

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21Days of Incubation

Prob

ability

of

losing

embr

yos

Kuurman et al. (2003). Poultry Science, 82:214–222

Probability of embryo losses through days of incubation

0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21Days of Incubation

Prob

ability

of

losing

embr

yos

Kuurman et al. (2003). Poultry Science, 82:214–222

Early Mid LateEarly Mid Late

Usually farm Usually farm related:related:Egg handlingEgg sanitationEgg storageTransportDiseaseDrugs / Chemicals

NutritionContaminationSetter conditions

Setter conditionsHatcher conditionsMouldsPoor shell qualityCracked eggshellsLate egg transferMalpositionsMalformations

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Flock Age (Weeks)

(%)

Infertiles

Early Dead

Mid Dead

Late Dead

Broiler Example – Top QuartileBroiler Example – Top Quartile

Hatchery TargetsHatchery Targets• Hatch of all eggs setHatch of all eggs set• Hatch of fertile eggsHatch of fertile eggs

• Egg weight loss during incubationEgg weight loss during incubation• Chick YieldChick Yield• Correct Hatch WindowCorrect Hatch Window

• Embryo losses (Early, Mid, Late deads)Embryo losses (Early, Mid, Late deads)

• 7 day bodyweights on the farm7 day bodyweights on the farm• 7 day chick mortality7 day chick mortality

Quickly give the chicks what they need:Quickly give the chicks what they need:

• Warmth and Moisture (Humidity)Warmth and Moisture (Humidity)

Brooding Temperature 30 - 33 °C

Brooding temperature is measured at the level of the chicks (litter)

Large differences in temperature Large differences in temperature can occur with small changes in can occur with small changes in heightheight

18.0°C

40.0°C

20

25

30

35

40

Sensor Sensor LitterLitter

Low litter temperatures can have a big Low litter temperatures can have a big effect on performanceeffect on performance

32°C32°C27°C27°C

Plenty of feed and waterPlenty of feed and water

IdealIdeal

Within 8 hours 80% of chicks have full cropsWithin 8 hours 80% of chicks have full crops

Within 24 hours 95% of chicks have full cropsWithin 24 hours 95% of chicks have full crops

If hard, need to increase access to waterIf hard, need to increase access to water

Crop must be full, but softCrop must be full, but soft

Two days old...

No feed

Feed available 8 hours later

Feed available at start

Early Feeding

• Stimulates intestinal enlargement

• Enhances development of villi

• Improves early viability• Stimulates bird growth• Increases meat yield• Stimulates development of immune system• Gives better antibody response• Improves response to “challenges”

500 um

Hatch 6 days oldDrawn from Dibner et al (1996). J. Appl. Poultry Res., 5, 70-77

LiverIntestine

Albumen

Amnion

““In ovo” feedingIn ovo” feeding (US Patent 6592878)(US Patent 6592878) Peter Ferket and Zaheva UniPeter Ferket and Zaheva Uni

Introducing nutrients into the amniotic Introducing nutrients into the amniotic fluid which is then drunk by the embryofluid which is then drunk by the embryo

Protein, peptide, amino acid (Egg white protein, Arginine, Leucine)Carbohydrate/Sugar (Maltose, Sucrose, Dextrin)Vitamins/Minerals (Zn-Meth)SaltEnteric modulator – hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB)

19 Days of incubation19 Days of incubation

HatchHatch

3 days old3 days oldFrom: Tako, Ferket and Uni (2001)Poultry Science, 83: 2023-2028

ControlControl ‘‘In Ovo’In Ovo’

If you are not reaching your 7 dayIf you are not reaching your 7 dayweights or other broiler targets:weights or other broiler targets:

•Holding chicks in the hatcher too long?•Holding the chicks at too high a temperature?

• Inefficient processing of chicks in hatchery?•Delays in transport?•Delays on arrival at the farm?• Chicks do not start taking feed fast enough

Until they are fed, chicks will Until they are fed, chicks will lose bodyweight and condition lose bodyweight and condition which reduces broiler which reduces broiler performanceperformance

Rules of IncubationRules of IncubationCorrect eggshell temperatureCorrect eggshell temperature~ ~ 37.837.8ooC (100°F) [> 39 C (100°F) [> 39 ooC (102°F) is not C (102°F) is not

good]good]Correct egg weight lossCorrect egg weight loss12% of 12% of freshfresh egg weight to pipping of shell egg weight to pipping of shell

(transfer to hatcher)(transfer to hatcher)Correct relative chick weight at take-offCorrect relative chick weight at take-off67% of 67% of freshfresh egg weight egg weightTurningTurningThrough 90° every hour until Day 15Through 90° every hour until Day 15VentilationVentilation0.35% carbon dioxide in multi-stage setters and 0.35% carbon dioxide in multi-stage setters and

when ventilating single-stage setterswhen ventilating single-stage setters

Rules of IncubationRules of IncubationCorrect hatch timeCorrect hatch timeFirst chicks should hatch no sooner thanFirst chicks should hatch no sooner than30 hours before chick take-off30 hours before chick take-off

Clean eggshells in hatcher baskets after chick Clean eggshells in hatcher baskets after chick take-offtake-off

Obeying these rules is the key to successfulObeying these rules is the key to successfulincubation, good chick quality and uniformityincubation, good chick quality and uniformity

After hatchingAfter hatching

Chick ComfortChick ComfortNo pantingNo pantingWarm legsWarm legsBody temperature 40.0 – 40.5°C from hatching Body temperature 40.0 – 40.5°C from hatching

to end of Day 2 on farmto end of Day 2 on farm

On farmOn farmPlenty of good quality feed and waterPlenty of good quality feed and waterWarm litterWarm litter160 - 180g bodyweight by 7 days of age160 - 180g bodyweight by 7 days of age

Optimal Incubation ConditionsOptimal Incubation ConditionsCorrect hatch timeCorrect hatch time

Should be no chicks hatchedShould be no chicks hatched35 hours before chick take-off35 hours before chick take-off

Eggshells should be relatively clean at chick take-offEggshells should be relatively clean at chick take-offCorrect eggshell temperatureCorrect eggshell temperature

99.5 - 101°F99.5 - 101°FCorrect egg weight loss at transferCorrect egg weight loss at transfer

10 - 12% of egg setting weight10 - 12% of egg setting weightCorrect chick yield at take-offCorrect chick yield at take-off

67 - 69% of egg setting weight67 - 69% of egg setting weightCorrect body temperature of chickCorrect body temperature of chick

40 – 41°C for the first two days after hatch40 – 41°C for the first two days after hatch

Getting these right is the key toGetting these right is the key to

Good hatchability,Good hatchability,

Good chick qualityGood chick quality

and the best start on the broiler farmand the best start on the broiler farm

Pot hole

Up to 0,5 % - higher at older flock age

Dr. Steve Tullett

60.000 cells!

• Cracks

• Depends

• Force

• Package

• Egg

• Weight

• Shell quality

• Shape?

• Deformities• Early dead, late dead, culls

• Earlier deads which not visible with bare eye?

• Worse if we set eggs immediately after transport?

What are the damages of inappropriate transport?

To mys e l f :

I n c l u de i n t o

th e fur the

r

e x am i n a t i on

Practical usage

• Determine a level of maximum g for fiber tray and setter tray delivery to minimize loss during transport

• Because flock age correlated with the level of breakage (shell quality, size)

• It would worth to switch from setter trays onto fiber tray to minimize breakage loss at older age?

Plan „B”What if not the shock but the vibration causing the deformities?

twins?

Stick to the membrane?

Problems in determining deformities

0,5%

AIS-CM-02

F e r t i l e B l a s t o d i s k

I n f e r t i l e B l a s t o d i s k T y p e I

Y o l k

Y o l k

A p o i n t s u r r o u n d e d b y a h a l o

A p o i n t w i t h o u t a h a l o

I n f e r t i l e B l a s t o d i s k T y p e I I

Y o l k

A p o i n t o n t h e s i d e o f t h e h a l o

U n i n c u b a t e d E g g F e r t i l i t y

AIS-CM-02

Infertile

BLASTODISC

(3-4 mm)

AIS-CM-02

FertilityFertility

•) (8.

•4

•.

*1.2.3.4.

Blood Rings.Blood Rings.

Blood Rings.Blood Rings.

66

•1.

•8 – 14.

• 710Egg Tooth .

*1.2.3.)(

99

1111

1414

•6.

•15 – 21.

•.

*

•••••

High incubation temp during 1-6 days at the setters

(next 4 slides)

Mal Positions&

Points Up(Next 4 slides)

Malposition #

Description % Incidence

1 Head between the thighs

12.5

2 Head @ small-end of the egg

7.5

3 Head under the left wing

7.5

4 Head not directed toward the air-cell

4.5

5 Feet over the head 20.0

6 Head over the right wing

48.0

I n c o r r e c t C o r r e c tIncorrect Correct

Aisz-2002

CONTAMINATION

(NEXT 4 SLIDES)

COMMON MISTAKES

Late Embryo Late Embryo MortalityMortality

Uneven, Draggy Uneven, Draggy Hatches.Hatches.

Cold spots in the Cold spots in the setter box.setter box.

Prolonged, uneven, Prolonged, uneven, and, slow pre-warm and, slow pre-warm period in the setter period in the setter room.room.

Lengthy transfer in Lengthy transfer in a cold room.a cold room.

Transfer into wet Transfer into wet hatcher trays.hatcher trays.

High incidence of live High incidence of live chicks with bloody chicks with bloody navels.navels.

Pattern of Embryonic Mortality in a flock hatching at 88%

0

1

2

3

4

5

% o

f al

l eg

gs

set

0-24h 24-48h Blood Ring Black Eye Feather Turned Pipped

Stage of Development

Assuming 2% infertility

Infertility - Causes

• Males too heavy so leg & foot problems, or excessive fat & breast

• Males too light, having lost condition

• Females too heavy, so not storing or transporting sperm well

• Females avoiding aggressive males (especially easy with slats & autonests)

Blastoderm of an Infertile Egg at Lay

EARLY DEAD EMBRYO SHOWING2 DAYS OF DEVELOPMENT

24h Mortality

48h Mortality

Likely Causes

• As for mortality 0-48h

• Severe deficiencies of Vit A, Vit E, Pantothenic acid, Copper or Boron

• Embryos underdeveloped at oviposition

EMBRYO WHICH HAS DIED AFTERDEVELOPMENT OF THE CIRCULATORY

SYSTEM (i.e. at approx 3 days of incubation)

PARTLY INCUBATED EGG AFFECTED BYPRONOUNCED YOLK MOTTLING

EMBRYO WHICH DIED ATAPPROXIMATELY 3 DAYS

Early Dead Embryos - Causes(2)

• Contamination

• Rough handling or transport

• Toxins, medication

• inappropriate egg disinfection

CONTAMINATED EGGS IN WHICHEMBRYOS DIED AFTER

APPROXIMATELY 6 DAYS

VIEW OF EGG CONTENTS IN WHICHEMBRYO DIED AS APPROXIMATELY

16 DAYS

Mid-term Mortality

Diagnosis

• Chick still loose in shell

• Feathers or feather follicle present

Causes

• Incubation conditions (temperature, RH, turning, ventilation)

• Contamination

• Nutritional Deficiencies

Late MortalityDiagnosis

• Embryo fills the egg shell

Causes

• Nutrition

• Incubation Conditions

• Flock age

• Egg Shell quality - too thick or too thin

• Contamination

EXPOSED BRAIN

ECTOPIC VISCERA

Developmental Abnormalities- Temperature Too High

• Days 1-3

• Exposed brain

• Days 1-5

• short or missing beak, facial abnormalities

• Days 1-6

• Eye missing or abnormal

• Days 1-14

• Wiry Down

• Throughout

• Viscera exposed after day 15

• Riboflavin - Clubbed down, curled toes, dwarfism

• Vitamin D - Skeletal deformities

• Biotin - oedema, webbed toes, short, twisted bones

Generally unusual, unless there has been a major problem with the premix.

Developmental Abnormalities- Vitamin deficiencies

Key Developmental Features

Day 2 - First appearance of heart & blood vessels

Day 4 - First black eye pigmentation

Day 12 - Feathers visible

Day 15 - Small intestines taken into body

Day 17 - Embryo turns so head in blunt end of egg

Day 20 - Yolk fully retracted into body cavity. Internal pipping.

Temperature profiles

• Data loggers can be placed to follow the whole life of the egg from the nest to hatch

FIGURE 13 : SAMPLE TRACE FROM DATA LOGGER INDICATING TEMPERATURE CONTROL

FAILURES IN THE EGG HANDLING PROCESS.

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

07/08 08/08 09/08 10/08 11/08 12/08 13/08

Date

Tem

pera

ture

oC

Nest Box

A

B

Collection &

Cooling

Storage

Incubator

Critical points

• Must cool and then not be allowed to go above physiological zero - 21C

• Many problems

• time in nest

• frequency of collections

• storage conditions on farm & in egg store

FIGURE 14 : PATTERN OF EMBRYONIC MORTALITYFROM PARENT FLOCK OF 30 WEEKSOF AGE COMPARED WITH TARGETPattern of Embryonic Mortality

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Infertile 24h 48h Blood Ring Black Eye Feathers Turned Pipped Pipped Shell

Stage of Development

Pe

rce

nta

ge

of e

gg

s s

et

Flock

Target

FIGURE 17 : TEMPERATURE TRACE OBTAINEDTHROUGHOUT THE HANDLING

AND INCUBATION PROCESS

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

07/08 12/08 17/08 22/08 27/08

Date

Tem

pera

ture

oC

Nest Box

CoolingIncubator

Storage

TYPICAL EMBRYONIC MORTALITY - PARENT FLOCK 31 - 45 WEEKS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

% o

f A

ll E

ggs

Set

Infertile 24hr 48 hour Blood Ring Black Eye Feathers Turned Pipped AirCell

Pipped Shell

Stages od Development of Embryo

TYPICAL EMBRYONIC MORTALITY - PARENT FLOCK 46 - 50 WEEKS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

% o

f A

ll E

ggs

Set

Infertile 24hr 48 hour Blood Ring Black Eye Feathers Turned Pipped AirCell

Pipped Shell

Stages od Development of Embryo

TYPICAL EMBRYONIC MORTALITY - PARENT FLOCK 51 - 60 WEEKS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

% o

f A

ll E

ggs

Set

Infertile 24hr 48 hour Blood Ring Black Eye Feathers Turned Pipped AirCell

Pipped Shell

Stages od Development of Embryo

APPENDIX 4 - HATCHERY RECORDING FORMSRoss Breeders Ltd Form 1 Egg Weight During Incubation

Company............................................

Farm Date setAge Date hatched

Date broken outSetter No Hatcher No

Tray 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No of Eggs

Initial weight

Transfer Weight

Chicks

Culls & Dead

Unhatched Eggs

Average Empty Tray weight..............................

Farm Date set

Age Date hatched

Date broken out

Setter No Hatcher No

Tray 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No of Eggs

Initial weight

Transfer Weight

Chicks

Culls & Dead

Unhatched Eggs

Average Empty Tray weight..............................

Ross Breeders Ltd Hatch Debris Analysis

Company Date setFarm Date hatchedAge Date broken out

Hatch Tray Size Setter noHatcher no

Tray No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total % of Eggs Set

(Tgt)

Eggs Clear

Eggs DIS

Infertile

24 h

48 h

Blood Ring (2.5-4d)

Black Eye (5-10d)

Feathers (11-17d)

Turned (18-19d)

Pipped (air cell)

Pipped Shell

Dead and Cull Chicks

Early Rot

Late Rot

Wet

Brain/Eye

Ectopic Viscera

Embryo Upsidedown

Ross Breeders Ltd Form 4 Un-Incubated Eggs

Company............................................

Date…………………………………..

Farm

No of Eggs Sampled

Fertile

Infertile

Mottled Yolk

Watery Albumen

Sticky Yolk

Conclusions

• Systematic use of technique described permits analysis of the incubation process.

• The information can be used to identify where the problems are occurring and how they can be resolved.

Recent Incubation Research

Incubation

• Work by Sander Lourens - Spelderholt

• Objective - optimum conditions for best hatch

• 1. Data from commercial hatchery

• 2. Trial investigating embryo temperature, hatchability and

grow-out performance of broilers

Trolley 1 Trolley 2

Tray pos ition Top Middle B ottom Top Middle B ottom

Fertility % 92.4 91.1 93.6 91.6 93.6 94.2

Early dead % 3.4 5.9 5.7 5.1 5.2 5.4

Mid dead % 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.9 0.5

Late dead % 7.7 7.9 5.7 7.3 13.4 6.9

Culled chicks % 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.2 5.7 2.6

1st grade chicks 87.7 85.1 87.6 86.9 74.3 84.4

Fertility & Hatchability

Incubation time

• Ross needs shorter incubation time than in the past

• than Cobb

• Overdo chicks they start less well and are more uneven

• Look at chick yield, hatch & emergence times

Underlying Basics• With changes to yield breeds, the incubation losses are increased.• Heat production of the embryo, 2-3 times more than

traditional breeds

• Changes in shell conductance, therefore more difficult to loose moisture

• With increased embryo heat production, the inherent variation in incubation environment causes more hatch and quality loss• 1 to 8% total late deads in trays, normal

• 1 to 58% can be found in problem machines

50 55 60 65 70 75 80

Egg weight (g)

0,0

0,5

1,0

1,5

2,0

2,5

Teg

g -

Tai

r (ºC

)

0,5 m/s 2,0 m/s

embryo temperature

plateau-phase

Air temperature Embryo temperature

103

99.799.5

Multistage Incubators

Late dead > 17 cm

Late dead <17 cm,Avg 1.5%

Problem: Incubation, Hatcher

• Hatcher Problem:

• In flocks <33 wks of age

• Embryos >16 cm with feathers, dead

• In flocks >32 wks of age

• Embryos >17 cm with feathers, dead

• Slows

• Embryos of the same size as above, but alive

Rules of Thumb

• The normal percentage of setter and abnormals is 1-1.5%.

• This percentage will increase in the winter

• The highest that I have found in a normal functioning setter is 2.5%

• When the hatch loss is embryos 17 cm, the hatch loss is either incubator or hatcher• Use patterns of loss and embryo temperatures in setter and

hatcher to differentiate

Rules of Thumb

• When late dead <17 cm are the problem, especially in the youngest flocks, investigate heat transfer in the first 10 days of incubation in a ChickMaster

• When late dead <17 cm are the problem, especially in the oldest flocks, investigate overheating in the end of incubation in a Jamesway

Setter ProblemChick Length, Setter Excess Spray

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20 20.5 21 21.5

CM

# o

f B

irds

15-2-1 15-2-8 Comparison 60 w k old f lock

Location 2-1 2-8% Hatch 47.6 31.5%<18 cm 35 62

Breakout %Setter/Abnormals* 30.4 32.7Late Dead/Slows 6.6 13.7

*Late Dead<17 cm, normal 1.5%

Hatcher Plenum Problem

Chick Length, Plenum impact

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20 20.5 21 21.5

CM

# of

Bird

s

51-1-1 51-3-1

Length #5-1-1 #5-3-116 0 0

16.5 1 017 8 0

17.5 24 118 36 0

18.5 28 2919 7 43

19.5 0 5520 0 5

20.5 0 121 0 0

21.5 0 022 0 0

# of Birds 104* 134% Hatch 9% 81.20%%<17 0.96 0%<17.5 8.7 0%<18 31.7 0.75

* from 7 trays

Same hatcher type, inadequate intake, chicks and poultsLATE DEAD AND SLOWS

Column 6,1 Column 2,5 Column 3,4 Average

Row 1 5.07 4.35 7.25 5.56

Row 3 2.89 9.42 8.70 7.00

Row 4 1.44 5.07 4.35 3.62

Row 6 2.17 4.35 13.04 6.52

Row 8 0.72 8.70 16.67 8.70

Row 10 2.17 5.79 12.31 6.76

Row 1,15 3.62 5.07 9.78 6.16

Average 2.41 6.28 10.39 6.36

Late Dead and SlowsCol 6,1 Col 2,5 Col 3,4 Average

Row 1 13.9 2.1 8.3 8.1Row 4 2.1 0.7 25.0 9.3Row 7 1.4 4.9 58.3 21.5Row 8 2.1 2.1 13.2 5.8Row 12 1.4 2.1 10.4 4.6Row 15 7.6 4.9 5.6 6.0

Average 4.8 2.8 20.1 9.2

30 wks, Chick Length by hatcher location

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20 20.5

cm

# of

chi

cks

#5-5-1 #5-4-7 #5-6-4 #5-4-4

16 16.5 17 17.5#5-5-1 0.00 0.00 9.01 40.54#5-4-7 0.00 7.69 38.46 88.46#5-6-4 0.00 1.80 10.81 39.64#5-4-4 0.00 0.00 25.40 82.54

30 wks, Cumulative chick length by hatcher location

0.00

5.0010.00

15.0020.00

25.0030.00

35.0040.00

45.00

16 16.5 17

cm

% o

f chi

cks

#5-5-1 #5-4-7 $5-6-4 #5-4-4

Late Dead and SlowsCol 6,1 Col 2,5 Col 3,4 Average

Row 1 13.9 2.1 8.3 8.1Row 4 2.1 0.7 25.0 9.3Row 7 1.4 4.9 58.3 21.5Row 8 2.1 2.1 13.2 5.8Row 12 1.4 2.1 10.4 4.6Row 15 7.6 4.9 5.6 6.0

Average 4.8 2.8 20.1 9.2

Cumulative chick length

Hatch

Variability in Chick Length by Hatcher Locations

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

16 16.5 17 17.5 18 18.5 19 19.5 20 20.5 21 21.5

CM

# o

f Bir

ds

#2-7 #1-1 #2-8 #6-4

Chick Length by Hatcher Location# of chicks

Length, cm 2-7 1-116-16.5 0 016.5-17 1 017-17.5 4 017.5-18 25 218-18.5 37 1118.5-19 18 2819-19.5 5 6419.5-20 0 3620-20.5 0 5

# of Birds 90 146% Hatch 53.6 86.9%<18 cm 33.3 1.4

Length and Hatchability

Late Dead Gallery

Abnormals

• 4 limbs

• Brain exposed

• No eye

• Crossed beak

• Improper incubation in the first week when these areas are formed• Hot or cold

• Impossible to be hot in multistage

Setters

• Late Dead <17 cm in flocks >32 weeks of age

• Late Dead <16 cm in flocks <33 weeks of age

• Feathers

• Incubation related

• Usually too cold the first 10 days of incubation

• May be too hot on the end of incubation

• 0.75 to 1.5% is normal

Slows

• Embryos that are alive

• Larger than the embryos at transfer

• Basically normal but slow and will not hatch with the rest of the egg mass

• May be smaller in length than good hatched chicks

Late Deads

• Tray Dead

• Ectopic Viscera

• All late dead embryos that do not fall into any of the other groups

For problem solving:

• Do a young, prime, and old flock

• Generally do the left or the right side of a hatcher

• Some machines have more variability or are larger. In these machines the sample size must be increased.

• 3 door JW

• CM ProHatch

• Petersime

• Late Dead and Slows: Hatcher Related

• Use location patterns to understand problems in room, spray patterns, machine design

• Setter and Abnormals: Setter Related

• 1.5% average in the winter

• 0.75% average in the summer

• Location patterns do not work, too few dead

• Most hatch as poor quality chicks. They do not die

Late Dead and Slows Increase in:

• Areas of low airflow, therefore overheating

• Areas of cold air intake, especially slows

• Areas of heat and cooling cycling

• Areas of humidity or disinfectant spraying, especially slows

• Areas near cooling coils

Normal Embryos

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Many Thanks for Your Many Thanks for Your Attention!Attention!

BBy :Hussien Gamely :Hussien Gamel