Effect of intensity of eggshell pigment and illuminated incubation on hatchability of brown eggs

Abstract

The effects of intensity of brown eggshell pigment (light (LBP), medium (MBP) and dark (DBP)) and light intensity during incubation (low and high, 900 to 1380 and 1430 to 2080 lux, respectively) on eggshell characteristics, embryonic growth, hatchability traits, chick hatching weight and hatching time were investigated using eggs from a meat-type breeder (Hybro) flock at 32, 36 and 41 weeks of age in three trials. With eggs of similar weights the intensity of brown pigment was not associated with eggshell weight and thickness, and did not influence embryo weight and egg weight loss during incubation. The shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by young hens influenced the percentage hatchability (HP) of eggs incubated under light. Illuminated incubation improved HP of LBP eggs (compared with MBP and DBP eggs) from 32- and 36-week-old hens, but had no significant effect on HP of eggs from 41-week-old hens. Light intensity during incubation did not influence egg weight loss. High intensity of light during incubation reduced HP and increased early death percentage (EDP) in the LBP and MBP groups, and did not influence HP and EDP in the DBP group. Brown eggshell pigment and intensity of light during incubation did not influence hatching time. It is concluded that the shade of brown pigment, intensity of light during incubation and age of the breeder hens influenced the hatchability performance of embryos from brown eggs. Light during incubation improved the hatchability of embryos in light brown eggs laid by young hens and the shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by older hens did not influence hatchability under illuminated incubation. High intensity of light during incubation reduced hatchability of light and medium brown eggs, but not the dark brown eggs.

Exposing broiler eggs to green, red and white light during incubation

“…The eggshell itself is an important factor in how light effects the embryo as it absorbs most of the light it is exposed to 2005). Huth and Archer (2015) noted that white light is filtered in a manner that the wavelengths of light are shifted to the red hue.…”

“…Differences in hatch time have been attributed to the eggshell filtering of certain light spectrums (Ghatpande et al, 1995). Furthermore, it has been observed that only some of the light reaches the embryo with an average of 99.8% of the light being absorbed by the shell 2005). Huth and Archer (2015) observed that broiler eggs saw an increase in hatchability when exposed to white lightemitting diode (LED) light, whereas white layer eggs showed no improvement in hatchability over eggs incubated in darkness and concluded that this may be related to how the broiler and layer eggs filter the light differently due to different shell pigmentation.…”

Effect of egg weight and amount of protoporphyrin and biliverdin in the egg shell on hatching characteristics and embryonal mortality in pheasants (Phasianus Colchicus)

“…In studies of the hatchability of pheasant eggs of different colours, it was reported that fertility, hatchability and hatchability of fertilized eggs were higher in brown eggs than in eggs of other colours (21,22). Shafey et al (34) reported that differences in hatchability and embryonal mortality might be related to differences in pigment density in the eggshell and that eggshell pigmentation could play a key role in shielding the egg's contents from harmful radiation and hence successful embryonic development. Nevertheless, reasons for an association between hatchability and eggshell colour are unclear.…”

“…Egg weight and eggshell colour are two physical factors that influence hatchability. Their effects on hatchability have been studied for hens (1,31,34,37), wild birds (25,26) and pheasants (4,14,21,22).…”

Effect of Eggshell Color on the Egg Characteristics and Hatchability of Guinea Fowl (Numida Meleagris) Eggs

“…Shafey et al (2005) reported that high light intensity during incubation reduced the hatchability of light-brown and medium-brown eggs, but not of dark-brown eggsin laying hens. Dark eggs from a same breeder flocks presented better incubation results than light eggs (Erensayın, 1991).…”