Effect of Age of Parents and Hatching Egg Weight on Broiler Chick Mortality

Abstract

A total of 7400 mixed-sex broilers was used in two experiments to determine the effect of breeder age and hatching egg weight on chick mortality and weight. In each experiment, 925 chicks were housed after hatching from either 29-week-old breeder hen eggs weighing either 47—54 or 57—62 grams or 58-week-old breeder hen eggs weighing either 57—62 or 67—74 grams. Higher mortality occurred when chicks were hatched from 29-week-old breeder hen eggs as compared to eggs from 58-week-old breeders. Also, higher mortality occurred when chicks were hatched from eggs weighing 47—54 grams compared to either 57—62 or 67—74 gram hatching eggs. Larger market broiler weights were found when chicks were hatched from either 57—62 or 67—74 gram eggs compared to chicks hatched from 47—54 gram eggs. No significant differences in market body weights due to age of parents were found when egg weights were comparable.