With the utilisation of yield breeds in broiler production, the link between incubation and early brooding quality with production performance has become increasingly evident. Incubation determines the embryonic development of the chick, which includes the development of the heart, intestinal development, and immune system. It has been shown that: Different setter and hatcher temperatures have an effect upon the broiler embryo. Incubation determines performance and mortality in the field. Embryo temperature affects hatchability and grow-out performance of broilers. The research into the performance losses in these areas is building a very convincing database to support finding solutions to capture more of the genetic potential in the yield chicks.This article will focus on possible critical management points in the process of incubation and brooding. Nature defines a physiologically mature chicken at hatch by the equation below.
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