hatchability

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of organic and inorganic forms of copper, zinc, and manganese on broiler breeder hens' productive and reproductive performance of Ross 308 broiler breeders at 33 and 36 weeks.

In this study, 240 hens and 30 roosters of Ross 308 strain were used in 30 experimental pens. This research was carried out as a factorial experiment 2×3 with three types of minerals (copper, zinc, and manganese) and two forms (organic and inorganic) in a completely randomized design with six treatments, five replications, and 8 hens and one rooster in each replication. Weeks 29 to 32 were considered as the adaptation period. The experimental treatments included: 1) diet containing inorganic zinc, 2) diet containing organic zinc, 3) diet containing inorganic copper, 4) diet containing organic copper, 5) diet containing inorganic manganese, and 6) diet containing organic manganese. The required amount of elements in inorganic form was 16 mg/kg for copper (copper sulfate), 90 mg/kg for zinc (zinc sulfate) and 130 mg/kg for manganese (manganese sulfate) and the recommended amount of elements in organic form in the present study was 13.33 mg/kg for copper (copper-methionine), 48.65 mg/kg for zinc (zinc-methionine) and 73.86 mg/kg for manganese (manganese-methionine). The data obtained by LSmeans method were analyzed by SAS statistical software.

The results indicated that the use of diets containing organic forms of elements had a significant effect  on egg production traits, including egg production rate, egg mass, egg weight, hatchable eggs, fertility rate, hatchability, and the weight of hatched chicks (P< 0.05). Specifically, organic zinc enhanced the percentage of egg production, egg weight, and egg mass during weeks 33 and 36 of the study. However, inorganic zinc demonstrated a better effect on egg mass compared to inorganic manganese (P< 0.05). Furthermore, the effect of organic and inorganic copper, as well as inorganic zinc, on the percentage of egg production in these weeks was significantly greater than that of inorganic manganese (P< 0.05). Similarly, regarding egg weight, a significant positive effect was observed from the combination of organic copper and inorganic zinc, which performed better than inorganic copper and organic and inorganic manganese (P< 0.05). The results also revealed that the effect of organic zinc on the percentage of hatchable eggs was significantly greater than that of other organic and inorganic elements among the treatments in the  weeks studied (P< 0.05). In addition, the findings regarding hatchability indicated that the effects of both organic and inorganic zinc surpassed those of other elements (P< 0.05). The influence of these elements on the fertility rate was also significant, with organic and inorganic zinc exhibiting a higher effect than other organic and inorganic elements (P< 0.05). Lastly, the impact of the studied elements on the weight of freshly hatched chicks demonstrated the superiority of organic zinc compared to other organic and inorganic elements.

In general, the effect of organic form of elements on the studied traits was greater than the inorganic form of elements, and the highest and lowest effect of the treatments on the studied traits were related to organic zinc and inorganic manganese, respectively. Based on the present results, the use of organic forms of elements (especially organic zinc) is recommended to improve the production and reproductive traits of broiler breeders.

Due to increasing in demand for quail products, including eggs and meat, and the cost-effectiveness of producing this product, quail breeding has found a special place in the poultry industry. Japanese quail is a diverse type of poultry that has unique characteristics such as delicious and nutritious meat and high egg production. In fact, high activity and movement in quails increases the storage of glycogen in their muscle tissues, which makes the meat of this bird very delicious, like that of hunting birds. The value of protein in the meat of this bird is 24.91%, while the rare amino acids that are not found in other proteins are abundantly found in the meat of this bird. The efficiency of converting feed into meat production of Japanese quail can play an essential role in the economy of raising this bird. Among the populations related to the Japanese race, the brown, white and gray populations are more widespread. However, there is not much documented information about the economic and functional characteristics of these and other Japanese quail populations in the country. This research was conducted in order to compare production performance, carcass characteristics, and egg laying characteristics and hatching percentage of three varieties of white, gray and brown Japanese quail.

This experiment was conducted with 3 treatments and 4 replicates and a total of 360 Japanese quail up to 42 days of age, with the same rearing conditions and diet in a completely randomized design. During the experiment performance parameters were recorded. Experimental treatments include white population of Japanese quail, brown population of Japanese quail and gray population of Japanese quail. At the end of the test period (42 days), 3 quail that were close to the average weight of the flock were selected from each repetition. After slaughtering, the characteristics of the carcass (carcass, breast and thigh) were measured. Then, after the start of laying, 144 Japanese quails (with the ratio of 3 to 1 female to male) were reared in cages to measure the egg characteristics, and the hatchability percentage. After the birds reached the laying age, 3 eggs were selected from each experimental unit and the quality characteristics of the eggs such as average egg weight, egg mass, specific gravity, Haw unit and egg shell thickness were measured. Also, to measure and calculate the percentage of hatching, 24 eggs were selected from each replication, and then the eggs with unfavorable appearance characteristics such as (bad shape, calcium shell, too big and too small eggs, green shell, etc.) were removed, then they were disinfected with formaldehyde gas, and then they were transferred to special combs for eggs. The quail eggs were transferred into the incubator. After transferring the eggs to the incubator, on the 14th day of incubation, the eggs were transferred from the setter to the hatcher, and on the 17th and 18th days of incubation, the newly hatched chicks were removed and the percentage of chicks hatched of each treatment was calculated.

The results of the experiment showed that the experimental treatments had no significant effect on the amount of feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in different periods, but had a significant effect on the daily weight gain in the final periods and the entire breeding period (p<0.05), so that white quail had the highest average weight gain. Also, the results showed that the experimental treatments were significant on the efficiency of carcass percentage in different varieties, so that the white strain has the highest carcass percentage (p<0.05), but different strains had a significant effect on other characteristics. There were no carcasses. The results showed that there was a significant difference between different varieties of Japanese quail on white height, shell weight, haw unit and mass weight in weeks 16 to 17 (p<0.05). So that the highest amount of Haw unit and white height is related to the brown strain and the lowest is related to the gray strain, the white variety had a higher mass weight than other varieties, and also the highest amount of shell weight is related to the gray variety and the lowest It is related to brown treatment. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the percentage of hatchlings between different Japanese quail populations.

The results of the present experiment showed that there was a significant difference between different varieties of Japanese quail in different traits, so that the white variety of Japanese quail has the highest weight gain and also has a better carcass percentage than the gray and brown varieties. On the other hand, the white variety of Japanese quail showed the highest quality in egg quality, including egg unit and mass weight. Therefore, it can be concluded that in this experiment, the white variety of Japanese quail showed better and more suitable conditions than the brown and gray varieties of Japanese quail in terms of growth performance and egg quality traits.

In this experiment, the effect of garlic (GP) and tomato (TP) powders on performance, blood parameters, sex differentiation and hatchability of Ross-308 broiler breeders were examined and compared with In-Ovo injection of garlic or tomato hydroalcoholic extracts. In first experiment, 375 hens and 25 roosters (47 wk.) were randomly allocated to 5 treatments and 5 replicates, for 4 weeks. Treatments included: 1) basal diet (control), 2 and 3) basal diet+ 2 and 4 percent of GP, and 4 and 5) basal diet + 2 and 4 percent of TP, respectively. In second experiment, 200 hens and 20 roosters were randomly allocated to 2 treatments including 1) basal diet and 2) basal diet + 4% of TP (selected treatment of the Exp. 1) in 5 replications from 52-56 wk. During incubation period, experimental treatments included: 1) control group, 2) eggs from hens fed 4% TP, 3) In-Ovo injection of physiological serum and 4 and 5) In-Ovo injection of 0.1 and 0.3 ml of garlic and tomato hydroalcoholic extracts. The results of first experiment, adding garlic and tomato powders was not significant on egg qualitative traits and blood parameters (P>0.05). All In-Ovo injection treatments increased fertility percentage (P<0.05). The second experiment results showed that treatments had no significant effect on the percent of males and females (P>0.05). In general, addition of 4 percent tomato powder to broiler breeders in comparison to In-Ovo injection of hydroalcoholic extracts of garlic and tomato, did not increase male 1-d-old chicks’ percentage of hatched chicks.

 One of the main problems in feeding native hens for optimal egg production is mineral deficiency, especially calcium sources. Calcium is present in the blood plasma and is part of the cells and tissues of the body and is essential for the activity of some enzyme systems involved in the transmission of nerve currents, muscle contractions and normal heart rate and also along with phosphorus to transfer fat to the yolk. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of calcium and phosphorus on performance, immunity, characteristics of eggs, percentage of bone calcium and phosphorous and percentage of hatching in Khorasan province native hens.

A total of 200 native hens from Khorasan station were used in a completely randomized design (factorial experiment) with 4 treatments, 5 replicates. Experimental diets based on two levels of Ca (2.5 and 3.5) and total P (0.5 and 0.75) per percent of diet. The hens had free access to water and food during the experiment. Eggs were collected and weighed daily in each pen and its mean was recorded as its weight and number. At the end of the experiment, one hen was selected from each replication, slaughtered and after isolating the femur, the percentage of calcium and phosphorus was measured. Hemagglutination method was used to measure the antibody titer against SRBC. All data were analyzed using SAS software and the means were compared based on Tukey test.

The results showed that different levels and P did not show any effect on egg weight, egg production, egg mass, feed intake and FCR (P>0.05). Levels of Ca have significant effect on the egg production, so that the highest egg production, egg mass and feed intake was observed in the 3.5% Ca (P>0.05). The interaction of phosphorus and calcium significantly changed the performance indices except egg weight, and The best feed conversion ratio was observed in the group receiving 0.5% P and 3.5% Ca (P<0.05). Different levels of P did not show any effect on shell egg and thigh bone characteristics (P>0.05). Increased P had no effect on the hatchability, But calcium caused an increase 3-9 percent of hatchability during the test period (P<0.05). Increased calcium and phosphorus did not have any significant effects on immunity indexes (P<0.05).

Overall, the results of this experiment showed that the levels of 0.5% P and 3.5% Ca can be reported as levels of calcium and phosphorus requirement of laying hens native.

To investigate the effect of adding garlic and tomato pomace powder to the diet of Ross 308 broiler breeders on production performance, body weight, egg quality traits, and hatchability characteristics, a total of 375 chickens were randomly assigned to five iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets, including four diets containing 0.2 and 0.4% of garlic and tomato pomace dried powder and a control diet with five replicates (15 hens and one rooster per pen). Chicken’s body weight through the trial period (47 to 56 weeks of age), daily egg production (%), average egg weight, and hatching traits were recorded daily. The chickens’ body weight was significantly affected in the first five weeks of the experiment (46 to 51 weeks of age) and during the second five-week period (52 to 56 weeks of age). Adding 0.4% tomato pomace to the diet significantly increased the chickens’ weight (P<0.05). For hatching traits, there were no significant differences between treatments (P>0.05). During the first five weeks of the experiment, the feed conversion ratio decreased in the control and the 0.4% garlic powder treatments compared with the other dietary groups. Also, in the second five weeks of the experiment, control, and garlic powder treatments had a lower feed conversion ratio compared with diets containing tomato powder (P<0.05). Based on the results of the present experiment, it can be concluded that adding garlic powder compared to tomato powder caused better results.

The current study aimed to optimize artificial insemination in aged broiler breeder hens in two experiments. In the first experiment, the effect of (two) different diluted semen temperatures (5 and 25 °C) of Hubbard rooster (40 roosters, 58 weeks of age) on fertility, hatchability and sperm penetration (SP) rate in the perivitelline layer of Hubbard hen (180 hens) were investigated. In the second experiment, three (different) sperm concentrations (100 (C100), 200 (C200), and 400 (C400) million sperm in 0.25 mL per hen) of Hubbard roosters (40 roosters, 62 weeks of age) on fertility, hatchability and SP rate of Hubbard broiler breeder hens (270 hens) were explored. In the first experiment, the results showed that the temperature of 5 °C of diluted semen compared to the 25 °C, increased percentage of hatchability of set eggs, hatchability of fertile eggs, and SP and decreased early embryonic mortality. The results of the second experiment showed the highest percentage of fertility and SP rate were observed at treatment C400. Also, in this experiment that highest percentage of hatchability of set eggs and hatchability of fertile eggs and lowest early embryonic mortality were observed at treatment C400. Return on investment (ROI) of the treatments C200 and C400 was approximately 2.9 and 1.4, respectively. In overall, the results of this study showed that (in attention to ROI and hatchability) to optimize artificial insemination of aged broiler breeder hens we can use a sperm concentration of 200 to 400 million in 0.25 mL per hens at 5 °C.

This research was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary selenium (Se) sources on hatchability traits in commercial female broiler breeders. The experimental treatment diets were: control (basal diet, none-selenium), basal diet + 0.5 mg sodium selenite (SS), basal diet + 0.5 mg Selenomethionine (S-Meth) and basal diet + 0.5 mg microencapsulated selenium (MS-Met) per kg diet. The total of 100 female and 20 roosters broiler breeder (Arbor Acres® Plus, 38 weeks of age) were considered for present experiment. Semen was collected from roosters by using abdominal massage. Incubation parameters (fertility, hatching, hatch of fertile egg, embryonic mortality, and A-grade chick) were evaluated at 44wk (younger) and 54wk (older) of age. The results indicated that the birds fed an organic sources of selenium (MS-Meth, S-Meth) the percentage of fertility and hatchability was increased (P<0.05) compared to inorganic selenium (SS) and the highest result were obtained in the birds received M-S-Meth diet. Also, the results indicated that embryonic mortality was reduced (P<0.05) in birds fed Se supplemented diet. In conclusion, the use of organic selenium supplementation in diet of could be recommended for improving of hatchability traits in commercial broiler breeders.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of two types of omega-3 calcium fat powders with animal and vegetable origin on productive performance, reproductive and egg quality of broiler breeder hens by using 60 hens and 20 roosters (65 weeks), in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates for two months. Experimental treatments were: 1- control (without fat powder); 2- 1.5% animal omega-3 calcium fat powder based on fish oil; 3- 3% animal omega-3 calcium fat powder based on fish oil; 4- 1.5% vegetable omega-3 calcium fat powder based on flaxseed oil; 5- 3% vegetable omega-3 calcium fat powder based on flaxseed oil. Egg production percentage and economic benefit of hens fed with diets containing 1.5% animal and vegetable fat powders were greater than hens that received 3% of them (p<0.05). The highest concentration of yolk docosahexaenoic acid and docosahepanthanoic acid were in eggs of hens fed with diet containing 3% animal and vegetable fat powder and thelowest concentration of linolenic acid was in the yolk of eggs obtained from control hens or hens fed with diet containing 1.5% animal fat powder (P<0.05). The lowest percentage of hatchability and the highest omega-6: omega-3 ratio were related to hens received control diet (P<0.05). Based on current results, adding animal or vegetable omega-3 calcium fat powder at the level of 1.5% in old broiler breeder hen’s diet, without negative effect on performance, improve hatchability and yolk fatty acid composition and is economically more affordable.

In this research the effects of different levels and particle sizes of zinc oxide on reproductive performance of hens and roosters of broiler breeders were evaluated. A total of 200 female Ross 308 broiler breeders in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 5 replicates and 5 birds per each replication, and 24 male Ross 308 broiler breeders in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments, 6 replicates and one bird per each replication at 54 weeks of age were used. The experimental treatments included the diets containing 70 mg zinc from zinc oxide with large particle size (LPZnO-70), 100 mg zinc from zinc oxide with large particle size (LPZnO-100), 70 mg zinc from zinc oxide with small particle size (SPZnO-70) and 100 mg zinc from zinc oxide with small particle size (SPZnO-100). The results indicated that the experimental treatments had no significant effect on egg production, body weight, egg weight and egg yolk weight. In the entire experimental period, the egg shell thickness was significantly higher in treatment containing SPZnO than LPZnO (P<0.001). The highest and lowest fertility and hatchability ratioes were observed in treatments containing SPZnO-100and LPZnO-70, respectively. The highest semen volume was observed in roosters of treatments containing SPZnO-100 and LPZnO-100 (P< 0.05). Generally, it can be concluded that SPZnO has a more desirable effect on reproductive parameters of broiler breeders due to its higher bioavailability. Since the level of 100 mg zinc per kg of diet from both sources of zinc oxide resulted in better reproductive performance, the utilization of SPZnO-100 might be recommended.

This experiment was conducted to compare the effect of natural mating (NM) and artificial insemination (AI) on reproductive performance in Chukar partridges. A total number of 96 female partridges were randomly assigned to two equal groups (four replicates of 12 birds each) to produce hatching eggs by either NM or AI. In addition to female partridges, one hundred forty-four male partridges were randomly selected where 48 and 96 numbers of those assigned to NM and AI treatment groups, respectively. The female partridges in both treatment groups were kept individually in cages for two weeks. Afterwards, one male partridge was randomly allotted to each female (a total of 48 male partridges) in the NM group. However, the female partridges in the AI group were inseminated by semen collected from 96 male partridges. During 10 days, 184 and 188 hatching eggs were collected for the NM and AI groups, respectively. The hatching eggs were then incubated. No significant differences were found between the NM and AI treatment groups in fertility rate (91.3 and 88.8%, respectively), hatchability of set eggs (58.1 and 53.2%, respectively) and hatchability of fertile eggs (63.7 and 59.9%, respectively). A high embryonic mortality rate was observed during the first 48 h of incubation (i.e. early mortality) in both NM (32.1%) and AI (31.7%) treatment groups; however, there were no significant differences between the treatment groups in embryonic mortality. In general, the efficiency of AI technique in Chukar partridges is comparable to that of natural mating.

The presence of vitamin D3 in eggs is important for calcium metabolism of embryo and its development. This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary vitamin D3 levels of 0, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 IU/Kg on reproductive characteristics of Japanese quail. 320 adult Japanese quails were used in a randomized complete block design with five treatments, four replicates containing 12 females and four male birds in each replicate. After six weeks of feeding with experimental diets, 40 eggs from each replicate were transferred to a hatchery machine. After incubation, reproductive parameters were investigated. On day 42 of the experiment, two male and female birds from each replicate were selected to measure the blood sere testosterone and estrogen levels. Fertility, total hatch and weight of hatching chicks were not affected by vitamin D3 (P>0.05). The lowest (79.75%) and the highest (90.53%) hatch of fertile eggs were recorded in diets without vitamin and containing 1000 IU/Kg of vitamin, respectively (P<0.05). The highest early and total embryonic mortality were related to zero level of vitamin and the lowest losses were belonged to 1000 IU/Kg of vitamin. The mid and late embryonic mortalities were not influenced by treatments (P>0.05). The morphometric characteristics of reproductive system in both sexes and blood sera estrogen level in female birds were not differ (P>0.05). The highest sera testosterone concentration (11.05 ng/ml) was observed in 1000 IU/Kg of vitamin (P<0.05). In conclusion, the use of 1000 IU/Kg of vitamin D3 in Japanese quail diet is recommended for the best reproductive performance.

Decreased hatchability and increased embryonic mortality in hatchery are economically important. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of month, season, flock age and egg size (weight) on hatchability and embryonic mortality during incubation period. The data were collected by frequent reference to the hatchery, and the total of hatched eggs from broiler breeder flocks was recorded between March 2016 to September 2016. Moreover, unhatched eggs were thoroughly investigated. In this survey, the third method (unhatched eggs breakout in the end of incubation) was used for different stages of embryonic mortality. Of the total number of 2372604 hatched eggs, 75.73% eggs and 24.27% eggs were hatched and unhatched (embryonic mortality), respectively. The effect of months and seasons spring or summer was significant (p<0.05) on the average percentage of hatchability and embryonic mortality, so that September and summer had the lowest hatch and the highest embryonic mortality. Decreased hatchability and increased embryonic mortality were observed with increasing of the flock age and the egg size (p<0.05). The highest rate of embryonic mortality was in infertility and stage VI. The results of this study showed that month, season, flock age and egg size (weight) have an effect on hatchability and embryonic mortality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of washing, storage time and storage temperature on hatchability and post- hatch growth of East Azarbaijan goose eggs. A total of 144 clean goose eggs were randomly selected from Malekan goose research station, East Azarbaijan and were asigned randomly for each treatment. There were 12 treatments in a factorial arrangement 2×3×2 based on a completely randomized design with main effects pre- incubation egg washing and non- wash, storage period: 1, 10 and 20 days and two egg storage temperature 25°C and 7°C with 3 replicates of 4 eggs per each. Initial egg weight, egg weight after storage, egg weight before transfer to setter and egg weight loss during storage time were individulay measured. After hatch, chicks were individually weighed and the quality of gooslings were measured individualy by Tona method. Results showed that egg storage time and temperature had a significant effect on total egg weight loss (P<0.05). Egg storage time and temperature had a significant effect on fertility and hatchability of eggs (P<0.05), but washing of eggs had no significant effect (P>0.05). The lowest initial gosling weight was seen in eggs that stored 20d. The highest body weight at day 7 were seen in eggs stored 10 days in 7˚C with pre incubation washing (276.3 g). Egg storage time and storage temperature had significant effect on fertility and hatchability of goose eggs (P<0.05). The hatchability of eggs stored in 7˚ and 25˚ C were 82.75 and 75%, respectively. Increasing egg storage time and storage temperature had negative effect on the goosling quality. In conclusion, the increasing egg storage time and storage temperature can decrease the fertility, the hatchability of eggs and the post-hatch gosling quality, but pre-incubation egg washing had no significant effect on fertility and post- hatch quality of gosling.

The aim of this study was to determine effect of in ovo injection of nanoparticles of zinc oxide on hatching, growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chicks after hatching. In total, 324 fresh hatching eggs were randomly distributed into six treatment groups of 54 eggs per treatment with three replicates of 18 eggs each, and injections were performed on day 15 of incubation. The treatments were sham, positive control injection of 60 ml of distilled water and in ovo injection 4 levels (15, 30, 60 and 120 ppm) of zinc oxide nanoparticles into site of the embryo in amniotic fluid sac. The results showed that in ovo injection of nano zinc oxide did not affect chicks feed intake in total rearing period (P>0.05). Also, there were no significant in ovo injection different levels of zinc oxide nanoparticles on body weight, and average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in the three periods, 1-10, 11- 42 days and total rearing period among treatments. In ovo injection of 15, 30 and 60 ppm of nano- zinc oxide did not affect the percentage of hatching compared to the control group. While the injection of 120 ppm in fertile eggs reduced the percentage of chicken intake compared to the control group, positive and negative (P <0.05). The results showed that in-ovo injection of 15, 30 and 120 ppm nano zinc oxide did not have a significant effect on the weight of hatched chicks compared to control group. However, The results showed that groups receiving levels 60 ppm zinc oxide nanoparticles had significant increase on body weight of the hatched chicks compared with the positive control group (P <0.05). In-ovo injection of different levels of nano- zinc oxide had no effect on carcass weight, heart weight, bursa of fabricius weight and spleen weight. The results of this study suggest that in-ovo injection zinc oxide nanoparticles on day 15 of incubation fertilized eggs could not improve feed intake, feed conversion ratio, hatching percentage and carcass yield of broiler chickens.

This research was conducted to investigate effect of turkey egg position in storeroom, prior to hatching, and egg position in hatchery on fertility and hatching traits of eggs. The statistical method was 2×2 factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design. In this research, eggs from one breeding house of turkey research station of Iran (Tatar station) were divided daily into four groups for four mounts. Then the eggs disinfected and stored in two positions, small end up and small end down, in storeroom at 15-18 degrees centigrade and 50-60 % humidity. In seventh day, all of weekly produced eggs were transferred to incubator separately and simultaneously. In the last three days of hatching, in the time of transferring to hatchery, similar treatments were put in two horizontal and vertical positions in hatchery. The results showed that fertility and hatchability was differed significantly for month of egg production as block (P0.05). Egg position as small end down in the late three days improved eggs hatchability and decreased losses (P>0.05). Interaction of small end up eggs position in storeroom and small end down eggs position on hatchery increased eggs hatchability up to 7.2 % (P

The effect of environmental conditions on health indices, performance and reproduction of poultry such as hatchability of eggs is very important. In recent years, several studies have been paid to theeffect of electromagnetic and magnetic fields onliving organisms, physiologicalchanges, production and health (Adair, 1998; Baharara et al., 2008; Shafey et al., 2011). Animals and poultry are exposed to electromagnetic fields from various sources such as electric wiring, industrial electric furnaces, mobile telephones and electric motors. Electromagnetic fields might impact the biological processes. The electromagnetic fields would also appear to have some negative effects in poultry welfare and economic efficiency. The researchers reported that exposing cells to electromagnetic fields could cause DNA to break apart and thus affect how cells develop (Focke et al., 2010). The effect of artificially generatedelectromagnetic field of low frequency on survival of chick embryos was examined by Siddiqi et al. (2015) and Shafeyet al. (2011). The results of such studies are differentand recurrently controversial mainly becausedifferent induction frequencies and intensities aswell as different times of exposure to the effect of these fields were used.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on hatchability and some serum parameters of one- day old chicks.
Material and Number of 115 fertilized eggs divided randomly to five treatments each replication 23 eggs. Treatments included control group, EMF 2mT, 4 mT, 6 mT and 8mT with low frequency (50 Hz). Each treatment was exposed to electromagnetic fields for 2 hours. Four replicates with 23 eggs were allocated to each experimental treatment. Eggs were stored at room temperature (about 15-18°C). After the exposure of electromagnetic fields, 3 eggs from each treatment analyzed for egg quality parameters. At sampling, eggs were weighed and broken on to a flat surface where the height of the albumen and yolk were measured. The height of the albumen and yolk were measured using micrometer. Mortality was recorded on a group basis as it occurred. Hatching eggs were stored at 18°C and 75% RH. 115 eggs from five treatment groups were incubated in commercial setter and hatcher with 23 eggs in each of treatment group. The setter and hatcher were operated at temperatures of 37.5±0.5°C and 37.0±0.5°C respectively. Hatchability was calculated as the number of chicks hatched per fertile or total eggs. Haugh units were calculated from records of egg weight and albumen height as an indicator of interior egg quality. Haugh unit= 100 log (H 7.57-1.7W0.37), where H= height of the albumen and W= egg weight. At the end of the experiment, one-day chicks were slaughtered and blood samples were provided and analyzed for different parameters. Blood samples were centrifuged (at, 6500× g for 20 min) and serum was separated and then stored at -200C until assayed for measuring biochemical parameters (glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, HDL, LDL, VLDL) using appropriate laboratory kits. The data obtained from the experiment were analyzed using SAS (SAS Institute, 2003) statistical programs with ANOVA procedure. Significant differences among treatments means were separated using Duncan, s multiple range test with a 5% probability.
There were no significant differences between treatments for parameters such as egg weight and egg large diameter. There were significant differences in the egg small diameter and albumen height (P It can be concluded that electromagnetic fields decreased levels of serum lipids but had not effect on hatchability and Haugh unit.