Effects of late incubation temperature and moment of first post-hatch feed access on neonatal broiler development, temperature preference, and stress response

• DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102088
• Publication Date: 2022-08-03T06:05:21Z
• Authors: H.J. Wijnen; R. Molenaar; B. Kemp; I.A.M. van Roover...; H. van den Brand; C.W. van der Pol
• Keywords: Corticosterone; Flock

Early life experiences are known to be of great importance for later life. For instance, exposure stress during early can increase fearfulness at age. In broilers, delayed feeding after hatch may cause metabolic stress. Besides, affect neonatal broiler development and thermogenesis consequently preferred ambient temperature. Moreover, these effects strategy dependent on late incubation To study this, eggs (n = 1,338) from a 54-wk-old Ross breeder flock were incubated 37.8°C (control) or 36.7°C (lower) eggshell temperature (EST) (≥ embryonic d 17). At hatch, two strategies applied (direct access (early feeding) 51 54 h (delayed feeding)). Broilers 960) equally divided over 32 pens grown 3 wk. Stress was assessed by determination corticosterone in blood 0 h, 48 96 21 hatch. Fearfulness tonic immobility 13. Temperature preference 2 12. Broiler determined There no EST × interaction any parameter (P ≥ 0.07). resulted 2.5× lower plasma concentration < 0.01) 2.2°C 2.0°C 12 respectively compared feeding. Tonic not affected. conclusion, reduces the short term stimulates thermoregulatory ability broilers longer term.