TechFocus_EGGS 0325 - Management Practices to Reduce Hatchi…

weeks. To maintain good fertility and hatchability the males should be fed according to their requirements, which will help to maintain body weight and keeps them active. Deformed and non-active males should be removed from the flock immediately. The broiler breeder farmer plays a crucial role in the poultry chain. Adhering to good husbandry practices enhances results for the farmer and positively impacts the entire poultry supply chain. References: Van den Brand, H., Sosef, M.P., Lourens, A. and Van Harn, J., 2016. Effects of floor eggs on hatchability and later life performance in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 95(5), pp.1025-1032. Malik, H.E., Sakin, A.I., Elagib, H.A., Dousa, B.M. and Elamin, K.M., 2015. Effect of egg weight and eggshell thickness on hatchability and embryonic mortality of Cobb Broiler Breeder eggs.

of salt decreases shell weight, shell strength and could reduce hatchability . • Farm configuration - Layout and egg collection impact egg contamination and cracks. • Feed management - Rapid feed increases after photo stimulation or overweight birds, lay more eggs with double yolks. • Diseases - Infectious Bronchitis, Avian Metapeumovirus, and Newcastle Disease Virus cause a higher number of misshapen eggs. The breeder manager significantly influences fertility and hatchability. Optimal results require sexually synchronised males and females at the time of mixing to prevent stress. Over-mating, caused by a high male ratio or advanced males compared to the females, leads to stress, reduced egg production, increased mortality, and poor fertility. Conversely, flocks with under developed males compared to females have poor hatchability that persists for the life of the flock. In floor housing, the male ratio can be 1 % higher than in community housing with slats. A recommended practice is introducing 5 % of the males to the females after photo stimulation and gradually increasing the ratio to 8 % by 30

About this author Paul Welten is a breeder specialist that has been with Cobb for more than 30 years. He currently serves the EMEA region. Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry from HAS University of Applied Sciences at ‘s-Hertogenbosch.