Impact of dichromatic lighted incubation on hatching result and post-hatch performance of broiler chickens.

This study was planned to evaluate the impact of dichromatic lights during incubation on the hatching and post-hatch performance of broiler chickens. A total of 500 eggs of broiler breeder (Ross 308; Age 44 weeks) were evenly divided according to a completely randomized design into 4 treatments having 5 replicates and 25 eggs each. Treatments consisted of dichromatic lights Blue + Red (BR), Green + Red (GR) and Green + Blue (GB) provided at an intensity of 250 lx for 12 h a day along with a Dark (D) environment. After hatching 200 chicks (50 from each respective light group) were divided into 4 treatments with 5 replicates each having 10 chicks. Results indicated a higher embryo index (13.12%) in the GR group on the 12th day of incubation; while an ideal hatch window was observed in GR and GB (98.18% and 96.00% hatched chicks) lighting groups. In hatching traits, higher hatchability (86.15) and hatch of fertile (93.85) percentages were observed in GR lighting followed by GB, BR and Dark treatment groups; while dead-in shell embryos were lowest in the GR group. In growth performance, higher feed intake (513.20 g) and body weight (479.20 g) were observed in the GB group followed by GR, BR and dark group; and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better in the GR group (1.06). In welfare parameters, improved physical asymmetry (0.90 mm) and tonic immobility (54.40 s) were measured in the GR group followed by GB, BR and the dark group. It was concluded that under experimental conditions when broiler breeder eggs are provided with GR lighting during incubation, it can help to improve hatchability, growth performance and welfare traits in chicks.

Poultry consumption and perceptions in Tehsil Shakargarh, Punjab, Pakistan: Implications for public health during COVID-19.

This study investigated the habits and attitudes of individuals towards poultry consumption, utilizing primary data collected through a survey of 5 households from 285 localities in Tehsil Shakargarh, Punjab, Pakistan (n = 1425). Household selection was randomized, and personal visits were conducted for data collection via formal interviews employing a structured questionnaire. Coordinates for each site were obtained using a Garmin eTrex device, in conjunction with meteorological data, to determine global positioning system (GPS) coordinates. A notable portion of respondents (38.8 %) possessed basic knowledge, while the majority (61.2 %) demonstrated intermediate knowledge regarding commercial broilers (chickens raised for meat production). A significant proportion (70.3 %) harbored misconceptions about the inclusion of hormones/antibiotics in poultry feed, with a minority (0.2 %) misinformed about broiler chickens' leg weakness. Some respondents (17.3 %) held both misconceptions, while others (12.2 %) had none. The majority (97.6 %) favored egg consumption, with 51.7 % preferring commercial chicken eggs and 48.3 % opting for domestic chicken eggs. Preference for white-colored eggs (51.5 %) slightly outweighed that for brown-colored eggs (48.5 %). A minority (1.3 %) speculated that poultry consumption could be a potential cause of COVID-19, while the majority (65.7 %) disagreed, and a portion (33.0 %) remained uncertain. Nearly all respondents (99.9 %) believed in the immunity-boosting properties of protein intake, with 65 % associating such benefits with poultry meat and eggs. Similarly, 99.7 % did not encounter difficulties in accessing poultry products during lockdowns. Approximately half (46.3 %) of respondents believed that consuming well-cooked and safely handled poultry meat was safe during outbreaks. Poultry meat and eggs emerged as potentially efficient sources of nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for protein-deficient populations like Pakistan. Therefore, initiatives should focus on enhancing commercial poultry production and educating the populace about its advantages.

Effect of body weight at photostimulation on productive performance and welfare aspects of commercial layers.

OBJECTIVE: Due to current selection practices for increased egg production and peak persistency, the production profile, age at maturity, and body weight criteria for commercial layers are constantly changing. Body weight and age at the time of photostimulation will thus always be the factors that need to be adequately addressed among various production systems. The current study was carried out to determine the effects of pullets' body weight (low, medium, and heavy) on their performance, welfare, physiological response, and hormonal profile. METHODS: With regard to live weight, 150 16-week-old pullets were divided into three groups using a completely randomized design (CRD) and held until the 50th week. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the data under the CRD, and the least significant difference test was used to distinguish between treatment means. RESULTS: In comparison to the medium and light birds, the heavy birds had higher body weight at maturity, an earlier age at maturity, and higher egg weight, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, egg yolk index, breaking strength, egg surface area, egg shape index, egg volume, and hormonal profile except corticosterone. However, the medium and light birds had lower feed consumption rates per dozen eggs and per kilogram of egg mass than the heavy birds. Light birds showed greater body weight gain, egg production, and egg specific gravity than the other categories. At 20 weeks of age, physiological response, welfare aspects, and catalase were non-significant; however, at 50 weeks of age, all these factors-aside from catalase-were extremely significant. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that layers can function at lower body weights during photostimulation; hence, dietary regimens that result in lighter pullets may be preferable. Additionally, the welfare of the birds was not compromised by the lighter weight group.

Impact of light stimulation during incubation on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of commercial broilers.

Light in terms of photo- and scoto-periods is the key ambient factor affecting the physiology of birds through establishing normal biological clock and circadian rhythms. In natural incubation light significantly influences embryonic development, however, at commercial setups eggs are incubated under a dark environment. Presently not a single commercial poultry hatchery is using light during incubation; hence, comprehensive studies are needed to address the industry for considering light as a potential embryonic growth stimulant. In the present study, white Light-emitting diodes (LEDs; 5000 K) were installed in the incubator and 250 lx light intensity was provided for 0, 12, and 24 h per day during the whole incubation period. A total of 900 broiler hatching eggs (Hubbard classic; from 58 weeks old parents) were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups, having 5 replicates of 60 eggs each, a tray was considered as replicate during incubation and these eggs were incubated under standard incubation protocols. After hatching, a total of 300 chicks were picked and divided into 3 described treatments (0, 12, and 24 h of photo-stimulation to eggs during incubation) having 5 replicates of 20 birds each. The results indicated that incubation of eggs under 12 and 24 h of lighting significantly improved (P ≤ 0.05) hatch window, hatchability % (0.0002), a hatch of fertile % (0.001), and carcass yield % (0.0454). Embryonic mortality, dead germs, and dead in shell embryos were lower in eggs incubated under 12 h light. Significantly better FCR (0.0006), stress susceptibilities such as H/L ratio (0.0227), and physical asymmetry (0.0065) were observed among the birds incubated under 12 h light (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, an appropriate light stimuli (12 h) may help to improve hatching traits and post-hatch performance of commercial broiler.

Effects of different light durations during incubation on hatching, subsequent growth, welfare, and meat quality traits among three broiler strains.

Present study was aimed to evaluate the hatching traits and subsequent performance of broilers strains under the intermittent and continuous light regime during incubation. In total, 2250 eggs from Hubbard classic, Cobb-500, and Ross-308 strains (750 eggs from each of same age breeders) were incubated under three different light durations. First treatment was the incubation totally under darkness where no light was able to penetrate in the assigned section of machine. In the second treatment, eggs were incubated at 12 h of lightness and 12 h of darkness. In the third treatment, the eggs received lightning of 24 h. Data were collected for hatching traits and hatch window, growth performance, welfare aspects, and meat quality. A two-way factorial analysis was performed using SAS software applying Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that hatching traits were improved when Hubbard breeder eggs were provided with light period of 12 h. However, gait score was non-significantly different among the treatment. The meat quality was better in Hubbard broilers obtained after 12 h of intermittent light during incubation. Blood biochemistry was also improved in Hubbard broilers of 12 h of light duration. It was concluded that 12 h of light period during incubation is beneficial for getting better hatchability and subsequent performance of Hubbard broilers.

Production analysis of broiler farming in central Punjab, Pakistan.

This study examined the analysis of personal and production performance of broiler farming in 10 cities of central Punjab (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Nankana, and Kamalia) of Pakistan. These districts are densely populated and renowned for broiler production. Primary data were collected through a survey of 100 poultry farmers. Personal and production information were collected from the respondents. Descriptive statistics was employed in the form of averages and percentages. The comparison among different districts was made through one-way ANOVA technique followed by Tukey's HSD test. Parameters were observed significantly in experience of farmer, age, number of sheds, capacity of farm, and flock/annuum during the survey of Gujranwala and Kasur, while the high percentage of graduate farmers was observed in Lahore and Sheikhupura regions. Significant results were observed during the production performance feed efficiency and mortality in Okara and Kasur as well as maximum administration of both live and killed vaccine in Lahore through drinking water in Nankana. In the districts of Sheikhupura and Kamalia, farmers due to lake of education left their dead birds on the surface ground. In conclusion, this study pointed out the exact trend of modern broiler farming and its price fluctuation in Punjab (Pakistan) as well as the reason behind the losses to the farmers.