CO₂ Level in Incubator That Causes 100% Embryo Death

Question

During incubation, if the CO₂ concentration in the incubator rises above ______%, all embryos die and hatchability becomes zero:

Select an answer

During incubation, if the CO₂ concentration in the incubator rises above ______%, all embryos die and hatchability becomes zero:

  1. 1%
  2. 3%
  3. 5% — Correct Answer
  4. 10%
Explanation:
Correct Answer: 5%

If the CO₂ level in the incubator rises above 5% for a prolonged period, all embryos die and hatchability becomes zero.

CO₂ Effects on Hatchability
  • Optimum CO₂ level: 0.5%
  • For every 1% rise in CO₂ beyond 0.5% → embryonic mortality rises progressively.
  • Above 5% CO₂ → all embryos die → hatchability = 0%.
O₂ Effects on Hatchability
  • Optimum O₂ level: 21%
  • For every 1% fall in O₂ from 21% → hatchability drops by 5%.
  • For every 1% rise in O₂ from 21% → hatchability rises by 5%.
Ventilation Problems and Their Consequences
  • Poor ventilation → accumulation of CO₂ and NH₃, wet litter, dead embryos.
  • CO₂ > 5% is directly lethal to embryos.
  • NH₃ maximum permissible in poultry house: 25 ppm.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
  • 1% → causes elevated embryonic mortality but not complete death.
  • 3% → causes significant mortality but hatchability is not zero yet.
  • 10% → too high an estimate; lethality occurs at 5%.

📚 About this Topic — Animal Refresher

This multiple choice question is from Animal Refresher, Poultry Science. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Refresher to strengthen your preparation.

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