Comparison of Chick Quality, Health, and Inflammation from Two Hatchery Environments

Hatchery contamination can result in ingested or inhaled microbes that may modify colonization of the intestinal and respiratory tract, with potential to influence early growth, inflammation, overall health. Six experiments were completed compare chick quality, health between two hatcheries (H1 H2). On embryonic d0, 45 eggs from same breeder flock set at each hatchery. length, abdominal height, navel leg abnormalities, self-righting measured for 36 chicks/hatchery, yolk sacs weighed, crop/cloaca swabs cultured 12 chicks/hatchery. d7, mid-ileum ceca d0 body weight (BW) measured, lung/air sac liver cultured, air scored Blood was collected on d7 serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentrations Exp 1 2. Data analyzed using Student’s t-test χ2, significance p < 0.05. BW, free greater H2 chicks (p 0.05). Liver bacterial recovery decreased 0.05) there fewer average righting abnormalities Decreased lactase positive Enterobacteriaceae noted 0.05), alpha beta hemolysis swabs, gamma d0. By only hemolytic bacteria increased H2. Based factors showed favorable microbial colonization, starting improved While not sustained through differences have shifted development potentially influenced immune response development. These elucidated importance hatchery environment