Effects of Storage Periods and Position of Hatchable Eggs on Hatchability

Abstract

This study was to investigate the effects of storage period and egg positioning on hatchability of hatchable eggs. A total of 750 eggs were collected from Arbor Acre breed of broiler parent stock, aged 35 weeks. 500 of these eggs were subjected to different storage periods: 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13 days and designated as treatments I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. Each treatment was assigned 100 eggs. The 500 eggs were further divided into two groups of 250 eggs each based on the position of the broad end (either upward or downward) during storage in the hatchery cold room at constant temperature of 18⁰C and relative humidity of 75%. Data obtained were subjected to factorial analysis using SAS, 9.2 version. From the study, a significant difference in hatchability among different batches of eggs was observed. The results showed that storage period and egg position significantly (p<0.05) affected hatchability. Eggs stored for 1 day had the highest hatchability (92%), while those stored for 13 days had lower hatchability (78%); and the eggs with air sac facing downward position had higher hatchability (88%) than the eggs with air sac facing upward position (85% hatchability). The highest hatchability (94%) was recorded for eggs stored for a day in the downward position. These results indicated that the best hatchability is obtained at 1 day storage period. It therefore appears that storing eggs beyond 7 days contributes to a decline in hatchability; notwithstanding the egg positioning.