Effect of different egg storage times on some egg quality characteristics and hatchability of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

Abstract

In this study, some quality characteristics and hatchability characteristics of 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, 7 to 8, 9 to 10, 11 to 12, and 13 to 14 d stored pheasant eggs were investigated. Although it was determined that the effect of storage time on egg weight, shape index, and albumen weight was not significant, the effect of storage time on eggshell weight, shell thickness, yolk weight, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit, shell percentage, albumen percentage, and yolk percentage was significant (P < 0.05). It was determined that prolonged storage time caused a decrease in the albumen index and Haugh unit value but an increase in the yolk index of pheasant eggs. There was no positive or negative effect of storage time on the fertility rates and hatchability of fertile eggs, but there was a negative effect of storage time on hatchability on d 8 (P < 0.05). Pheasant eggs should not be stored more than 8 d.