TY  - JOUR
AU  - Masia, Khathutshelo Simon 
AU  - Nephawe, Khathutshelo Agree 
AU  - Mtileni, Bohani 
AU  - Modiba, Mamokoma Catherine 
AU  - Ncube, Keabetswe Tebogo 
AU  - Ngcobo, Jabulani Nkululeko 
AU  - Rensburg, Willie Janse van 
AU  - Mpofu, Takalani Judas 
PY  - 2024
TI  - Effect of High Incubation Temperature on Embryo Livability, Mortality, Hatchability, and Chick Quality in Commercial Layers
JF  - American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
VL  - 19
IS  - 4
DO  - 10.3844/ajavsp.2024.393.403
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajavsp.2024.393.403
AB  - This research was conducted to determine the effect of high incubation temperature profiles on embryo livability, mortality, hatchability, and chick quality in commercial layers. Incubation temperature profiles were: Control (day 0-4: 37.8°C, day 5-9: 37.2°C, day 10-11: 37.0°C, day 12-13: 36.8°C), moderately high (day 0-4: 38.5°C, day 5-9: 38.2°C, day 10-11: 37.5°C, day 12-13: 37.0°C) and extremely high (day 0-4: 39.5°C, day 5-9: 39.0°C, day 10-11: 38.0°C, day 12-13: 37.5°C). The general linear model procedure in Minitab 17 was used to analyze data, whereas the mean separation was conducted using Fisher's LSD test (p<0.05). Temperature profiles influenced (p<0.05) livability, day 0-10, total moisture loss, body weight, and total mortality. The embryo livability was higher in a moderately high incubation temperature profile (93.31%) followed by control (86.55%) and extremely high incubation temperature profile (72.61%). Total moisture loss was higher (p<0.05) in the extremely high incubation temperature profile (16.55%) than in other temperatures. Dry chicks were greater in the extremely high incubation temperature profile (99.21%) compared to control (97.76%) and moderate high incubation temperature profile (93.19%). First-grade female yield was higher (p<0.05) in control (46.10%) compared to the other temperature treatments. The total hatch of a fertile was higher in the moderate-high incubation temperature profile (96.15%) compared to the control (93.63%) and extremely high incubation temperature profile (89.62%). Total embryo mortality was higher (p<0.05) in an extremely high incubation temperature profile (10.38%), followed by the control (6.37%), and then by a moderately high incubation temperature profile (3.69%). Moderate high incubation temperature profile showed great promise as a tool to increase embryo, livability, hatchability, and chick quality and reduce embryo mortality.