This document summarizes the key stages of embryo development and incubation for chickens. It describes the development that occurs each day for the first 3 days. Critical periods of development are outlined, including circulation beginning around day 2-3. Optimal incubation conditions like temperature and humidity are provided. Guidelines for incubation over the 18 day period and last 3 days are given. A healthy newly hatched chick is described.
This document summarizes the key stages of embryo development and incubation for chickens. It describes the development that occurs each day for the first 3 days. Critical periods of development are outlined, including circulation beginning around day 2-3. Optimal incubation conditions like temperature and humidity are provided. Guidelines for incubation over the 18 day period and last 3 days are given. A healthy newly hatched chick is described.
This document summarizes the key stages of embryo development and incubation for chickens. It describes the development that occurs each day for the first 3 days. Critical periods of development are outlined, including circulation beginning around day 2-3. Optimal incubation conditions like temperature and humidity are provided. Guidelines for incubation over the 18 day period and last 3 days are given. A healthy newly hatched chick is described.
This document summarizes the key stages of embryo development and incubation for chickens. It describes the development that occurs each day for the first 3 days. Critical periods of development are outlined, including circulation beginning around day 2-3. Optimal incubation conditions like temperature and humidity are provided. Guidelines for incubation over the 18 day period and last 3 days are given. A healthy newly hatched chick is described.
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Embryo development, incubation
and hatching
Development of the embryo (day by day)
Physical activity and metabolism Critical periods Relation between egg weight and chick weight Incubators Optimal conditions during incubation Candling of eggs Common incubation problems is given.
Day 1 of incubation Three layers of tissue are developed. From here all organs develop Ectoderm Feathers, nervous system, pigmentation, hypophysis, inner ear
Development of the vascular system Heart, red blood cells and bone marrow are developed Blood circulation begins after 38-40 hours of incubation Critical period in embryo development
O2 consumption, CO2 prod. and heat prod.
of 1000 chicken eggs during incubation O2 consumption 400
200
Heat production
300
200
100
CO2 production 100
0 0
10 12 14 16 18 20
Day of incubation
Heat production W
CO2 production ml/h O2 consumption
ml/h
500
Chronology of embryonic development of the chick
Incu. day
Size Principal major evident morphological
(cm) characteristics
Leg and wing buds, bone marrow, red blood cells
1.3
Lengthening of limb buds, prelim. head movements
Partitioning of heart and movement of body
1.8
Lengthening of beak, appear. of 4 distinct toes on feet
2.2
Articulation of limbs, formation of external ear
10 12
Formation of cranium and eyelids
4.5
Appearance of down on wings and closure of eyelids
14
Body completely covered with down
19-20
Beak within the air sac, pipping and respiration w. lungs
21
Hatching
Weight of egg and chick
(Tullett & Burton, 1982) Weight As % of original (g) egg weight Fresh egg weight Weight loss during incubation Chick weight at hatch Shell plus residues at hatch
60.00 7.27 44.74 6.92
100.0 12.1 74.6 11.5
Hatchery Eggs in Reception/storage Fumigation Incubator Hatcher Sexing Delivery Chicks out
Types of incubators Natural (hens) Table-top models vs. free-standing Single tray vs. multiple trays Still-air vs. forced-air Manual egg turning vs. automatic turning
Incubation temperature Temperature is the most critical factor for incubation success. However, the effect of temperature variation depends on relative humidity and ventilation Optimum incubation temperature is 37.8C 0.3C Greater sensitivity to increased temperature than to decreased temperature
The effect of incubation temperature
on percentages of fertile eggs hatched %
100 80 60 40 20 0 35,5
36,5
37,5
38,5
39,5
40,5
Temperature C
With relative humidity of 60%, O2= 21% and CO2 below 0.5%
The effect of turning eggs and
angle of turning during incubation Times turned daily
Percent hatch of fertile eggs
2 4 6 8 10
68.2 71.3 74.6 74.8 74.7
Angle turned Percent hatch
to each side of fertile eggs vertical () 20 30 45
69.3 78.9 84.6
Candling of eggs A simple candling device:
Candling of eggs at day 7
A: Candling shows that the egg is not fertilised
B: The egg is fertilised. Candling shows a strong embryo C: Candling shows a weak embryo D: A dead embryo. It is seen from the ring of blood around the embryo
Solving incubation problems 1
Indications
Possible causes
What to do?
No blood vessels at candling
Eggs not fertile
Check flock management
Embryo died very early
Check egg holding conditions
Check incubation operation
Many dead embryos
Temperature too high or Check incubator and accuracy of
low thermometer
Pipped eggs not hatching
Improper turning
Turn 3 times per day
Poor oxygen supply
Increase ventilation
Poor nutrition
Check breeder flock diet
Low humidity
Have correct wet bulb
temperature
Hatch too early High temperature
Check temperature
Hatch too late
Check temperature
Low temperature
Solving incubation problems 2
Indications
Possible causes
What to do?
Shells stick to chick
High humidity early or low
humidity late
Check humidity
Cripples
Temperature problems
Check incubator
Humidity problems
Check incubator
Improper turning
Correct turning
Smooth hatching trays
Provide better traction
Large soft-bodied weak chicks
Low temperature
Check temperature
Mushy chicks, dead
on tray
Navel infection
Improve sanitation
Rough navels
High temperature or wide
temperature fluctuations
Check temperature
Low moisture
Check wet bulb
temperature
Guidelines for the first 18 days
of incubation Hygiene:
clean and/or disinfected eggs
Position:
broad end up, turned every hour
Temperature: 38C Humidity:
60% rel.
Candling:
after 4.-7. day
Guidelines for the last 3 days of
incubation (day 19-21) Candling:
separation of eggs with dead
embryos
Position:
eggs lying on side no turning
Temperature: 37-37.5C Humidity:
70-80% rel.
Day 19-20 of incubation
The embryo draws the yolk sac into the body cavity and at the end of day 20 the entire reserve will be located within the abdomen. At hatching approx. 30% of the original nutrient reserve of the yolk will still be available and will continue to be a major source of energy for the newly hatched chick during the first few days after hatching
A healthy newly hatched chick
should have: Well developed body length and depth Shiny, thick and coloured down feathers Thick shanks with spread and straight toes Big clear eyes Lively behaviour
