Co-Authors:
Yahav, S., Department of Poultry Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel, INRA Station de Recherche Avicoles, Nouzilly 37380, France
Rath, R.S., Department of Poultry Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Shinder, D., Department of Poultry Sciences, Institute of Animal Science, Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
Abstract:
The significant developments in the genetic selection of fast-growing broiler chickens cause difficulties for broilers in coping with extreme environmental conditions. This study was conducted to elucidate the effect of repetitive short-term increases in incubation temperature on hatchability and chick's body weight (BW) and thermoregulation immediately after hatch. Thermal manipulation (TM) had no effect on hatchability when the three trials were combined for statistical analysis, and had no effect on chick's BW. It caused a significant reduction in chicks Tb, and significant decline in plasma thyroid hormones concentration, but had no effect on plasma corticosterone concentration. It can be concluded that TM did not affect BW but had a positive effect on thermoregulation, most probably in reducing metabolic rate. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.