Effect of high shell temperature and position in the incubator on embryonic mortality and hatchability of fertile broiler eggs

Abstract

Summary The effects of high egg shell temperature (EST), egg position in incubator and egg weight on embryonic mortality and hatchability of fertile eggs from a broiler parent stock were investigated in this study. Egg weight was determined in a total 1920 hatching eggs, which were obtained from middle-aged (39 weeks old) Ross 308 broiler breeders. These eggs were classified according to weight as light (60.3 ±Â 0.04 g), medium (64.4 ±Â 0.0 g) and heavy (68.8 ±Â 0.1 g). They were randomly set in trolleys of 4 identical incubators sorted as near the heather side – door side, humidifier side – opposite side and top – middle – bottom. The incubators were operated from the beginning to the end of the incubation period to provide 4 different high EST values of 100.5°F, 101.0°F, 101.5°F and 102°F. At the end of the hatching period, data on embryo mortality and hatchability of fertile eggs were examined.