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Effect of Flock Age and Postemergent Holding in the Hatcher on Broiler Live Performance and Further-Processing Yield

Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849-5416

Correspondence: E. T. Moran, Jr., E-mail: moranet{at}auburn.edu

Chicks held in an incubator or hatcher for an extended period of time prior to removal will reduce body weight, yolk sac reserves, and immune function while increasing the risk of dehydration and death. This experiment was conducted to compare the quality and subsequent performance of early-emerging chicks that were held in the hatcher vs. those that emerged just prior to removal. Eggs were obtained from young (32 wk) and prime age (41 wk) Ross x Ross 308 breeder flocks. The mean incubation length of early-hatched chicks was 497 h compared with 509 h for late-hatched chicks, resulting in an average postemergent duration of 15 h vs. 3 h in the hatcher, respectively. Total chick yield was similar between young and prime flocks (82 and 83% of eggs set, respectively), but proportionately, the prime flock produced more early-hatch chicks than the young flock. Higher whole body weight and yolk sac weight at hatch were associated with late emergence. Chick body weights after access to feed and water for 1 wk continued to be at a disadvantage for birds from young hens, whereas early-hatched chicks were similar to late-hatched chicks. Males and females responded similarly to flock age and hatch treatments. By 6 wk of age, higher total feed conversion and carcass abdominal fat existed with broilers from prime compared with those from young breeders, whereas yields of skinless boneless breast meat were similar. Prolonged holding in the hatcher had no major effects on final live performance, carcass quality, or breast meat yield.

Key Words: broiler • flock age • hatch time • live performance • carcass yield

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