FTA liver impressions as DNA template for detecting and genotyping fowl adenovirus.

The feasibility of using liver impressions on Flinders Technology Associates (FTA filter paper for the collection, inactivation, and molecular analysis of fowl adenovirus (FAV) was evaluated. FAV I European Union (EU) serotype 1 spotted on FTA was shown to be inactivated using specific-pathogen-free (SPF) primary chicken embryo liver cell culture as indicated by absence of cytopathic effect. Sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test using tenfold dilutions of allantoic fluid from 100 to 10-4 for the detection of adenovirus serotype 1 on FTA cards was determined to be 0.

Effects of incubator humidity and hen age on yolk composition in broiler hatching eggs from young breeders.

The effects of broiler breeder age (26, 28, and 30 wk) and incubator relative humidity (43, 53, and 63% RH) on yolk sac weight and composition in broiler hatching eggs between 16 and 19 d of incubation were evaluated. Percentage yolk sac weight was reduced in eggs from the youngest (26 wk) breeder hens and in eggs incubated at 53% RH. Percentage yolk moisture, in eggs from the youngest hens, was lowest at 16 d and was highest at 19 d, and percentage yolk lipid was highest at 16 and 17 d of incubation in eggs from 30-wk-old hens.

Effects of incubational humidity and hen age on embryo composition in broiler hatching eggs from young breeders.

There is a paucity of information regarding the influence of incubational humidity on the characteristics of broiler embryos from young hens that often produce chicks of marginal quality. Therefore, the effects of broiler breeder age (26, 28, and 30 wk) in young broiler breeders and incubator humidity (43, 53, and 63% RH) on embryonic growth between 16 and 21 d of incubation, hatching chick weight, and embryo and chick body compositions were evaluated. Hatching broiler chick BW at 21 d was lower for 26-wk-old breeders compared to those at 28 and 30 wk, and the lowest RH decreased relative wet embryo weight.

Effects of relative humidity during the last five days of incubation and brooding temperature on performance of broiler chicks from young broiler breeders.

Broiler hatching eggs were subjected to one RH condition (53% RH) from 0 to 16 d and switched to one of three different RH conditions (43, 53, or 63%) from transfer at 16 d to pull time at 21.67 d of incubation. The broiler breeder ages were 27, 29, and 31 wk for Trial 1, and 26, 28, and 30 wk for Trial 2 in Experiment 1.

Albumen height and yolk and embryo compositions in broiler hatching eggs during incubation.

The relationship of albumen height (AH) to the compositions of yolks and embryos in hatching eggs from a young (30 wk of age) broiler breeder flock was evaluated during incubation. On Day 2 of incubation, egg weight, yolk weight, and yolk moisture, lipid, and fatty acid contents were determined in eggs from broiler breeders previously identified as laying eggs of either low or high AH. In addition, egg weight, wet and dry embryo weight, and embryo moisture and protein contents were determined on Days 10, 12, and 16, and embryo lipid content was determined on Days 12 and 16.