Effect of thermal manipulation of slow-growing broiler chickens on chick quality and physiology

The ability to absorb changes and to anticipate future perturbations through adaptive capacity has been shown to be affected by early life experiences that can already be applied during the perinatal period. Adjusting the incubation temperature profile can f.e. program chickens during the embryonic phase to cope better with various challenges in later life, such as fluctuations in temperatures and/or exposure to pathogenic challenges.