Photostimulation of turkey eggs accelerates hatching times without affecting hatchability, liver or heart growth, or glycogen content

The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of incubating turkey eggs in the presence of incandescent light on hatching times, as well as liver and heart growth and function of the hatched poult. In each of two independent trials, 180 commercial turkey eggs were incubated either in a 12-h incandescent light:dark schedule or continuous darkness throughout the incubation period (n = 360). Hatching time was observed at 8-h intervals following 25 d of incubation. Hatchability was calculated as a percentage of total eggs set, and was also calculated as a percentage of fertilized eggs. Poult weights, blood glucose, liver weights, and heart weights were measured at hatch. Liver and heart glycogen concentrations were analyzed, and comparisons were made of light-treated hatchlings and controls exposed to continuous darkness. The photostimulation of eggs accelerated hatching times (P < 0.01) without affecting hatchability or poult weight at hatching. Neither organ weights nor organ glycogen contents of photostimulated poults differed significantly from controls incubated in the dark. Results of this experiment indicate that the incubation length of turkey eggs may be shortened by photostimulation of eggs during the incubation period without significantly affecting embryonic survival, liver or heart growth, or glycogen content.