Source:  Lisa M. Keefe, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 9/1/10

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has posted the results of two research projections as part of its research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.

Project #F002, “Evaluating the Response of Broilers in Incubation Systems of a Commercial Hatchery,” sought to determine whether certain changes in current incubation management practices may prove beneficial in commercial broiler settings. The study showed that one change — using single-stage incubation, as compared with multi-stage incubation — showed promise. Although improvement in hatchability was not consistent, improvements were observed in chick quality, body weight, feed conversion and leg health issues.

Two other changes that were tested were the addition of CO2 to the incubation process, and the reduction of ventilation rates in multi-stage incubation processes. Neither produced significant or consistent results.
Project #F021, “The Reproductive and Physiological Development of Young Broiler Breeder Males Raised on Shortened Growth Cycles,” tested the results of applying light stimulation to breeder males at times earlier than 21 weeks. The results suggest that earlier light stimulation, as early as 18 weeks of age, does not negatively affect reproduction.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.