"Effect of Strain, Thermal Manipulation during Incubation Phase on Hatching Quality Traits and Blood Parameters of Dokii-4 and Golden Montazah Chicks under Upper Egypt Conditions"

This study investigated the impact of strain, thermal manipulations during incubation on the hatching quality traits and blood parameters of Dokii-4 and Golden Montazah chickens. A total of 2250 fertile eggs of both Golden Montazah and Dokii-4 eggs produced from hens at 42 week old. The eggs of both strains were classified into 3 thermal treatments (2 strains × 3 treatments × 3 replicates × 125 eggs). In the 1st group (control), eggs were incubated at 37.5°C and 55-60 % RH (one day-hatch), while those in the 2nd and 3rd groups were exposed daily to 35 and 40ºC for 3 hours during 3 successive days (5-7d) of incubation. The obtained results summarized the follows: The chick weight at hatch (CWAH) for eggs in Golden Montazah was significantly increased, while the percentages of spleen, intestines, stomach and liver were not affected compared with Dokii-4 chickens. The cholesterol level in Golden Montazah was significantly decreased, while blood proteins, liver enzymes and blood minerals were not affected compared with Dokii-4 chickens. The CWAH (g), spleen (%) and calcium level for chicks exposed to high group (40°C) were significantly decreased, while cholesterol level was significantly increased compared with those of low at (35°C) and the control at (37.5°C) groups. It could be concluded that the hatching quality traits and blood parameters for Golden Montazah chickens produced from eggs exposed to normal and low incubation temperatures significantly improved as compared with those in high incubation temperature group.