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Production of Day-old Chicks from Crossbred Chicken Eggs by Broody Hens, Rice Husk Incubator and Electric Incubator, and Their Rearing Up to 6 Weeks

B C Roy
Department of Livestock Services, Krishi Khamar Sarak, Farmgate, Dhaka, Bangladesh

H Ranvig
Department of Animal Science and Animal Health, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark

S D Chowdhury
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh

M M Rashid
Chittagong Veterinary College, Chittagong, Bangladesh

M R Faruque
Chittagong Veterinary College, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Nine hundred and sixty hatchable eggs were collected from the Parent flock of Rhode Island Red male and Fayoumi female and set in three different methods of incubation. Each method was presented by four replications, and each replication consisted of eighty eggs. Twenty-four broody hens were used, and a rice husk incubator was constructed with locally available materials such as mat, jute cloth, bamboo, rice husk and wood. The eggs for all incubation processes were washed with savlon mixed luke warm water to remove dirt and surface organisms. During the incubation period, the turning of eggs was done manually in rice husk incubator, whereas the electric incubator had an automatic turning device for once an hour, and the broody hen was experienced enough herself. Candling was done in all processes. The hatching eggs were transferred from incubation box to hatching bed on 17th day of incubation in rice husk incubator while the eggs were transferred from setting tray to hatching tray on 18th day of incubation in electric incubator. Data were recorded for average egg weight, chick weight, fertility, embryonic mortality, dead-in-shard, abnormal chicks, normal chicks hatched, hatchability of fertile eggs and hatchability of total eggs set. The results of this study indicated that egg weight, fertility, embryonic mortality, abnormal chicks, chick weight and normal chicks hatched did not differ significantly (P<0.05) among the treatments. Dead-in-shard, hatchability of fertile and hatchability of total eggs set showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatments. Higher dead-in-shard (5.5%) occurred in rice husk incubator followed by electric incubator (3.1%) and broody hens (2%). The highest hatchability (92.4%) of fertile eggs set was found in broody hens compared to the electric incubators (89.3%) and rice husk incubators (87.5%). The chicks produced from three different methods of incubation were reared up to 42 days of age to investigate growth and survivability. During the rearing period, there were no treatment differences in body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion.

Keywords: Broody hen, Chick rearing, Hatchability, Rice husk incubator

Location: In Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Farming System

Commodity: Poultry farm, Feed, Broiler chick

Objectives:

The current study is aimed at the following objectives; to study the hatchability traits (fertility, hatchability, and dead-in-shard, embryonic mortality, normal and abnormal chicks) of eggs from crossbred (RIR x Fayoumi) chickens by using broody hens, rice husk incubator and electric incubator and to investigate growth and survivability of chicks hatched by broody hens, rice husk incubator and electric incubator.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out with 960 eggs collected from the parent flock of RIR male and Fayoumi female, and set in three incubation methods: natural incubation, rice husk incubation and electric incubation with 4 replications of each individual method. The experiment was started on 8th November and continued up to 24th January 2003 at Mithapukur area of Rangpur, Bangladesh. At every five days, 80 eggs were set in each system at the same time, 2 p.m. Incubation house, nest for broody hens, rice husk incubator and chick-rearing units were constructed in the research area, and the Government poultry hatchery of Rangpur, Bangladesh, was used for electric incubation. The experiment was divided into two phases. First phase was incubation, and second phase was rearing of day-old chicks up to 42 days of age. Care of hatching eggs: The hatching eggs were medium and uniform in size and had strong shards. Special care was taken to exclude cracked or very dirty eggs from this study. The eggs were kept in collecting trays, keeping the blunt end up, and stored in a room at 14⁰C to 16⁰C and 70-80% relative humidity, over a period of 4 days. Before setting, all eggs were properly cleaned with mild luke-warm water solution of savlon (a mild disinfectant). Shape index of hatchable eggs was measured. Selection and collection of broody hens: As hens sit to hatch when they become broody, they are not always at hand to hatch eggs regularly. Special attention was given to selection of broody hens. When an indigenous local hen displayed typical broody sound, occupied her nest, refused to leave it and tried to gather eggs, and this behaviour lasted at least two days, then it was assumed that the hen was ready for brooding. The weight ranges of broody hens were from 960 g to 1300 g. Twenty-four broody hens were collected from neighbouring villages of the research area. These twenty-four broody hens were used for 4 replications. Each replication needed 6 broody hens for incubation of eighty hatching eggs. Two weeks before the collection of broody hens for incubating eggs, special attention was paid to the laying period of each broody hen. When a hen laid six eggs, then it was collected and put in the predetermined incubation house for acquainting her with stipulated incubation boxes. Drying, marking, making bundles and heating of eggs: The hatching eggs were dried in the air, and after drying all eggs were marked with different symbols for identification of each batch. The hatching eggs were tied up in bundles of 20 in each group. Red cloth was used for bundles. For heating, the bundles were opened and placed on mats exposed to sunlight. A thermometer was inserted in a cracked egg. When the temperature was about 39^oC, the eggs were tied up in bundles again. All the pillows of the rice husk incubator were warmed by solar energy up to 39^oC simultaneously. Humidity: To maintain proper humidity a container of water was always kept in the incubation house. On the day of hatching, a pot of hot water was placed in the hatching bed for 5 minutes at one-hour intervals so that its vapor maintained proper humidity. A white cotton cloth rinsed in luke-warm water was spread over the eggs for a period of 3 minutes at one hour intervals by removing its excess water. This system was applied only on the day of hatching and only when the humidity was below 90%. Temperature: A clinical thermometer was inserted into the egg bundles at different levels to check the temperature. From 12 days of incubation the embryos were large enough to keep up the temperature without assistance. The uppermost pillows of incubation cylinders were not necessary from 13 days of incubation. In case of sudden change in weather leading to coldness, the pillows were again used for the maintenance of proper temperature. Data collection: Fertility, embryonic mortality, dead-in-sshards, abnormal chicks hatched, normal chicks hatched, day-old chick weight, hatchability of total eggs set and hatchability of fertile eggs set were calculated in all methods. All hatched chicks were weighed individually on a treatment basis with 0.5 g accuracy. Statistical analysis: Descriptive analysis was performed using mean and standard deviation for each outcome variable. Differences between treatments were evaluated using analysis of variance (Proc GLM in SAS version 8.2). When treatments were significantly different, the Duncan Multiple Range Test (1955) was used to separate treatment means (Steel and Torrie 1980). Assumptions for the analysis were evaluated using residuals plots and Shapiro-Wilks test for normality. A 5% significant level was used.

Source of Information: Livestock Research for Rural Development 16 (3) 2004

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd16/3/roy16018.htm

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

* Broody hens were more efficient then rice husk or electric incubators in producing day-old chicks. However, differences in hatchability were relatively small indicating that the rice husk method could be used in remote areas where there is a high demand for day-old chicks, cheap labour, lack of electricity and inadequate facilities to transfer day-old chicks from commercial hatcheries to chick rearing units.

* Different incubation methods appear to have no influence on growth and survivability of day-old chicks.

Knowledge Management: Journal