Effect of Pre-Incubation Storage on Hatchability and Embryonic Mortality in Kuttanad Duck Eggs

Abstract

This study was aimed to standardise the pre-incubation storage period of hatching eggs of Kuttanad ducks for getting better hatchability. The hatching eggs were collected from breeding flocks of Kuttanad ducks for seven consecutive days and the eggs collected on each day were stored at a temperature of 17 to 18°C with 75 per cent relative humidity (RH).The eggs which were subjected to 1-7 days storage period formed the treatments and were incubated at 37.5°C with the RH of 60 per cent in the setter for first 24 days