Effects of inverting the position of layers eggs during storage on hatchery performance parameters

Abstract

Storing hatchable eggs is a common practice in commercial hatcheries. However, storage time may negative effects on several performance parameters. An experiment was carried out to evaluate inverting egg position during storage of eggs laid by young and old layer breeders. Fertile eggs of 32 and 58-week-old breeders were stored for seven, 14, and 21 days at 18ºC ± 2ºC and 80% ± 10% relative humidity (RU). The following parameters were evaluated: egg weight loss, hatchability and hatchling weight, and embryodiagnosis results. Eggs stored with the small end up lost less weight during storage compared with the control eggs. Storing eggs for 14 days with the small end up reduced early embryo mortality, improving hatchability. In addition, hatchling weight increased. These results show that the detrimental effects of long storage periods may be alleviated when eggs are stored with the small end up to 14 days of storage

Influence of egg storage length and orientation on hatching traits and spread of hatch in Transylvanian naked neck chickens

“…In the present trial, EWL was not influenced by storage orientation. This agrees with the findings of Tiwary and Maeda (2005) that the position of eggs during storage had no effect on EWL but contrary to those of Schmidt et al (2002) and Lima et al (2012) that eggs stored with NEU had lower weight loss. The reason adduced to the lower weight loss in NEU orientation by the authors is that the traditional BEU allows for more evaporation and albumen water losses from stored eggs.…”

“…However,Lima et al (2012) reported an increase in hatchling weight in NEU eggs. The longer period of storage in the report ofLima et al (2012) may be the reason for the result.In conclusion, storage of TN chicken eggs up to 7 days lowered fertility and hatchability. If the HFE up to 70% is envisaged, then eggs could be stored for up to 7 days in NUE orientation but the storage should not extend beyond 3 days in BEU orientation.…”

“…Eggs are traditionally accumulated in cold room storage at 15-18°C for 7 days before setting in most of commercial hatchery operations (Lima et al, 2012). However, there exists a genotype effect on the hatchability of eggs subjected to varying storage lengths.…”

“…Meijerhof (1992) listed pre-incubation egg positioning as an influencing storage condition with an impact on incubation success. Lima et al (2012) found that storing eggs for 7 or 14 days with the broad end down resulted in reduced egg weight loss (EWL), higher hatchability and heavier chicks compared to the normal position. Eggs from younger breeder hens stored for 7 days exhibited lower late mortality in the inverted group than the broad end up (BEU) group.…”

“…The authors, however, did not consider embryonic mortality, spread of hatch and chick quality. Lima et al (2012) also worked on the effects of inverting the position of layer eggs during storage on hatchery performance parameters. But the storage duration was limited to 7, 14 and 21 days.…”