The Effect of High Holding and Housing Temperatures on Hatchability of Chicken Eggs

Abstract

IN NORTHERN Sudan (a semi-tropiical region) the summer months are characterized by a very hot, dry climate (over 40°C). Hatchability is greatly impaired during this period and poultry breeders usually give up hatching during summer. Owing to the recent growing demand for poultry meat and eggs throughout the year it was felt that more experimental work was needed for a better insight into the problem of holding hatching eggs at high temperatures and its subsequent effect on hatchability as well as the performance of hatching eggs laid by hens held at high environmental temperatures.The effect of various storage temperatures on hatchability has been reviewed by Taylor (1949), Olsen and Haynes (1948) and Landauer (1967). It was demonstrated that prolonged storage of hatching eggs at too high or too low temperatures resulted in poor hatchability.Satisfactory hatching results may be obtained from eggs held at temperatures ranging from 8 to…