| Author(s) | Shafy, T. M., A. A. Al-sobayel and T. H. Al-mohsen |
| Affiliation | Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | The Effect of Light During Incubation of Chicken and Turkey Eggs on Embroyonic Growth, Hatcahbility trais and Subsequent Performance of Chickhen |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Agricultural Sciences. Volume 16, No 2. (2004/1424) |
| Abstract | This review presents literature relating to the special properties of eggs and, the effects of light during incubation period on embryonic growth, hatchability traits, and post-hatch performance of chichens. Exposure of chicken and turkey eggs to light during incubation has been shown to accelerate embryonic growth, reduce hatching time, and has profound effects on chick weight at hatch, per cent hatchability and post-hatch performance of chicks, without altering the composition and quality of chickens produced. Source, spectra, intensity, and regimen of light influence the growth of embryo, hatching time, batchability percent, chick weight at hatch and subsequent post-hatch performance of chicks. Eggshell pigmentation and conductance and eggs size play and important part in controlling the quality and quantity of light that passes through the eggshell. Eggshell absorbed more than 98% of light over the range of 200 to 1100 nm. The increase in metabolic rate of embryos incubated under light can largely explain the acceleration of embryonic growth. The positive responses of light during incubation of eggs may be achieved by ensuring that the optimum intensity and wavelength of light reaching the embryo. |
