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Systematic Documentation of Embryonic Anomalies of Broilers and Their Increased Incidence in Mississippi

R. W. Keirs^*, E. D. Peebles and P. D. Gerard

^* College of Veterinary Medicine, Poultry Science Department, and Experimental Statistics Unit, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762

Correspondence: E. D. Peebles, E-mail: dpeebles{at}poultry.msstate.edu

A field study on broiler hatching efficiency was conducted over several years to document incidences of embryonic anomalies, in terms of their relative association with embryonic losses, for multiple broiler production complexes in Mississippi. Between July and November 1998, the overall percentage of anomalies across seven complexes in Mississippi alone was 0.64%. Similarly, prior to 1998, an average of 0.39% anomalies were observed from the compiled records of 24 broiler complexes in 9 major broiler-producing US states, including Mississippi. Between April and October 1999, the overall percentage of anomalies in the same 7 Mississippi complexes that were examined in 1998 increased by 176% from 0.64 to 1.77%, and these were noted to have occurred within a larger proportion of late incubational embryonic losses. This increased incidence of embryonic anomalies in Mississippi has been documented to persist through 2001. Major changes in the choice of male and female broiler breeder lines purchased by these Mississippi complexes had occurred prior to the increase in anomalies. Therefore, various management and environmental factors, as well as genetics, should be considered as influences behind this increase.

Key Words: anomaly • broiler • embryo • hatchability • hatching efficiency • Mississippi

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				R. W. Keirs, E. D. Peebles, and P. D. Gerard Relationship of Late Embryo Loss and Anomalies in Broiler Offspring J. Appl. Poult. Res., January 1, 2007; 16(1): 62 - 69. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]