Effect of Altering Eggshell Permeability on the Hatchability of Turkey Eggs Incubated at High Altitude ,

Abstract

Factors of Fick's First Law of Diffusion were manipulated in order to observe their effect on the hatchability of turkey eggs at high altitude. Shell permeability was studied by removing the eggshell cuticle. The eggshell surface for gas exchange was studied at different times of the laying cycle as the surface area increased. Differences in gas tension across the shell were assessed under two oxygen pressures (131 and 109 ton of oxygen).Increasing shell permeability in order to increase gas flow to the embryo did not improve hatchability but did increase (P≤.05) embryonic mortality. On Day 25 these data suggest that cuticle removal is not a good means for improving the hatchability of turkey eggs at high altitude. Eggs from older hens had increased surface area and decreased hatchability at high altitude.An oxygen partial pressure of 109 torr depressed (P<.05) hatchability, compared to that resulting from a partial pressure of 131 torr. The depression in hatchability was attributed mainly to embryos that were unable to free themselves from the shell once they had pipped.