Abstract
BackgroundThis study evaluates the effects of storage periods (1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 days), egg size (small 60–64 g, medium 65–69 g, and large ≥ 70 g), and egg positioning with air cell facing either down or up during storage on hatchability percentages and day-old chick’s weight. One thousand and five hundred (1500) fertile eggs from Arbor acre broiler breed were purchased and arranged each according to egg sizes into five (5) different storage periods of 100 eggs per storage period. Each storage period was subdivided into 2 groups of 50 eggs each based on positioning during storage. A completely randomized design in 3 × 5 × 2 factorial arrangement was adopted. Stored eggs were incubated for hatch with recording of weights of the hatched chicks, and the hatchability rate was calculated.ResultsThe results indicated eggs stored for a day and 4 days had maximum hatchability, but declined slightly as the storage period increased (92 to 78%). The eggs positioned down generally had better hatchability. However, medium-sized eggs had the highest hatchability percentage. On the other hand, large-sized eggs stored for longer period attained higher chick weight compared to medium- and small-sized eggs, but large-sized eggs positioned down gave a better chick weight. Generally, eggs stored with air cell down present superior chick weight.ConclusionStorage period and egg positioning during storage affect the subsequent egg hatchability and weight of the hatched chicks from different egg sizes. However, egg storage must not exceed 4 days for optimum hatchability and weight of the hatched chicks. In addition, storing of eggs with air cell down might also enhance the hatchability and weight of hatched chicks irrespective of the weight of the eggs.
Highlights
Egg weight and chick weight at hatching have been shown to be positively related (Khurshid et al 2003)
Experimental layout and design A total of one thousand and five hundred (1500) fertile broiler breeder (43 weeks old) eggs were purchased from the farm of Amo Byng Nigeria Limited, Awe, Oyo State, Nigeria, for the purpose of this trial and were arranged 500 eggs each according to egg sizes into five (5) different storage periods of 100 eggs per storage period of 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 days
The 4-day egg storage period had the highest number of hatched chicks with 92.96% hatchability though not significantly (P > 0.05) different from those stored for 1 day, while the lowest number of chicks hatched and percentage of hatchability (35.3 and 78.52%) was recorded for eggs stored for 13 days
Summary
Egg weight and chick weight at hatching have been shown to be positively related (Khurshid et al 2003). A rule of thumb in the hatchery business is that for every day after 10 days of storage, hatchability will decrease by 1% (Bakst and Akuffo 2002) This elongated egg storage problem on hatchability and growth performances of brooder chicks is not extensively determined in western African conditions, as hatchability and growth performances of chicks differ according to species, breeds, environmental conditions, and other management. This study evaluates the effect of storage periods and egg positioning during storage on egg hatchability and weights of hatched chicks from different egg sizes. This study evaluates the effects of storage periods (1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 days), egg size (small 60–64 g, medium 65–69 g, and large ≥ 70 g), and egg positioning with air cell facing either down or up during storage on hatchability percentages and day-old chick’s weight. Stored eggs were incubated for hatch with recording of weights of the hatched chicks, and the hatchability rate was calculated
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