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Even though the birth rate of a batch is very good and the quality of birds is satisfactory, you may always find abnormal embryos in the trays. Sometimes, finding the cause of lower birth rate is difficult since its origin is not always localized in the hatchery.
We will now describe a series of problems relatively frequently found mainly affecting terminal phase embryos and newborn chicks.
This article makes reference to the second part of the article which was published in the previous edition.
Symptoms
Bomb eggs
Possible cause: Farm Contamination
Corrective measures: Do not incubate dirty eggs, check number of collections and the state of cleanliness of nests
Possible cause: Improper disinfection
Corrective measures: Check disinfectant dosage and their replacement frequency
Possible cause: Contamination in hatchery
Corrective measures: Check cleaning and disinfection protocols and avoid reusing air
Possible cause: Eggs with sweat
Corrective measures: Keep eggs at adequate temperature during movement, avoiding temperature fluctuations
Possible cause: Contamination from broken eggs
Corrective measures: Prevent its appearance and verify removal of all organic matter before disinfecting
INJURIES
Leg problems
Possible cause: Trays too smooth or having areas wherein legs may get stuck
Corrective measures: Use paper or meshes
Possible cause: High temperature and lack of oxygen
Corrective measures: Check hatching temperatures since high temperatures may affect bone and cartilaginous development. It also generates lactic acid production because birds use muscle glycogen as energy source (Oviedo-Rondon and Wineland 20012). Calibrate thermometers
Possible cause: Stress during transportation
Corrective measures: Measure rectal temperature 39.8 – 40.5 ºC
INJURIES
Short beaks, missing beak, face abnormalities
Possible cause: High temperature the first hatching days
Corrective measures: Check embryonic temperature, profiles, calibrate thermometers
Possible cause: Nutritional deficiencies -niacin-
Corrective measures: Check diets
Possible cause: Heredity
Possible cause: Alterations during development
INJURIES
Exposed brains
Possible cause: Temperatures are too high during the first 3 hatching days
Corrective measures: Check temperature profiles and calibrate thermometers
Possible cause: Extremely low levels of oxygen during the first 3 hatching days
Corrective measures: Check ventilation profiles
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