Effect of Egg storage duration on hatchability, embryonic mortality and first week performance of broiler chicks

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of short storage duration on hatchability, embryonic mortality and post hatch performance of broiler chicks. A total of 2400 broiler parent fertile eggs from Hubbard broiler breeder flock 45 weeks age were collected and divided into four groups (600 eggs each),and stored at 15 °C respectively for 0day, 2day, 4day, and 6day. Before incubation the groups were further subdivided into four replicates each of 150 eggs, all eggs and the incubator were disinfected and fumigated using Huwasan 3% and Elphagen powder. Eggs were incubated in aPas Reform incubator at 37.5°C and 60 % relative humidity for 18 days. On day 18 of incubation, eggs were candled and clear eggs were opened to determine macroscopically infertility or stage of embryonic mortality, and then , eggs containing living embryos were transferred into the hatching machine during the last three days of incubation. Atemperature of 36.5°C and relative humidity of 80 % were provided. By the end of the hatching period of (21 days), unhatched eggs were opened to determine stage of embryonic mortality. For the rest of the period, 120 chicks were selected randomly, 30 chicks for each treatment and examined macroscopically to determine their quality scoring. Chicks were weighed and randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups with three replicates / treatment (10 chicks each). Feed and water were provided adlibitum. By the end of the first week of rearing feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality and relative growth (RG) were calculated. Collected data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance for a completely randomized design. The results revealed that there were no significant differences in hatchability, fertility, embryonic mortality, quality and post hatch performance when freshly laid eggs were stored at 15 °C for 2, 4 and 6 days.