Timed CO2 Regimens During Egg Incubation to Reduce Woody Breast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern broiler chickens grown to larger sizes often suffer from Woody Breast, a condition that reduces breast meat value, and existing incubation methods do not effectively address this issue or other important characteristics like hatchability, hatch weight, viability, and weight gain.
Innovation Solution
Applying specific carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration regimens during egg incubation, including varying CO2 levels and exposure periods, to create controlled atmospheres that reduce Woody Breast and enhance hatchability, hatch weight, viability, and weight gain in hatched chickens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If chickens are grown to larger sizes to provide more breast meat, then the quantity of breast meat increases, but the incidence of Woody Breast condition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by exposing embryos to elevated CO2 concentrations during the incubation period (days 1-18) before the chickens are born. This prenatal exposure modifies the development of breast muscle tissue, preventing the formation of Woody Breast condition while allowing the chickens to grow to large sizes and produce abundant breast meat.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 concentration is increased in the incubator to reduce Woody Breast, then Woody Breast incidence decreases, but hatchability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by varying the CO2 concentration over time during incubation rather than maintaining a constant level. The CO2 concentration is elevated (7,500-20,000 ppm) during days 1-18 to prevent Woody Breast, then reduced to normal levels (350-500 ppm) during days 19-21 to ensure successful hatching. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between preventing Woody Breast and maintaining hatchability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing distinct phases of CO2 exposure: a first period (days 1-18) with elevated CO2 concentrations to prevent Woody Breast condition, followed by a second period (days 19-21) with reduced CO2 concentrations to facilitate hatching. This periodic variation in CO2 levels allows the system to achieve both goals sequentially.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 concentration is maintained at high levels throughout incubation to prevent Woody Breast, then Woody Breast is reduced, but chick viability and weight gain are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from high CO2 concentrations during the embryonic development phase to low CO2 concentrations during the hatching and post-hatching phases. This dynamic change ensures that chicks receive the beneficial effects of elevated CO2 during development while avoiding the harmful effects of prolonged high CO2 exposure, thereby maintaining high viability and weight gain.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The CO2 regimens effectively reduce Woody Breast incidence and improve hatchability, hatch weight, viability, and weight gain in chickens, achieving healthier growth without harmful side effects.
Implementation Method 1
injecting carbon dioxide from a source outside the egg into the gaseous atmosphere as necessary so that for at least one period of time (or, alternatively, at least six periods of time) of at least 12 hours (or, alternatively, of at least 24 hours) the carbon dioxide concentration in the gaseous atmosphere which is in contact with the egg is 7,500 ppm to 20,000 ppm
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
A method of incubating a fertilized unhatched poultry egg to hatching comprises: incubating the egg for an incubation period of 18 to 21 consecutive days in a gaseous atmosphere which is in contact with the egg, and during that time, feeding carbon dioxide from a source outside the egg into the gaseous atmosphere as necessary so that for at least one period of time of at least 12 hours the carbon dioxide concentration in the gaseous atmosphere which is in contact with the egg is 7,500 ppm to 20,000 ppm, thereby enhancing the health and survivability of the chicks and, in the case of chickens, reducing the tendency of chicks hatched from the eggs thus treated to disorders such as Woody Breast.