Effects of Egg Storage Position and Injection of Solutions in Stored Eggs on Hatchability in Chickens (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract

These experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of egg storage position and injection of solutions into stored eggs on hatchability in chickens. In experiment 1, a total of 689 eggs were randomly divided into two groups (Normal position : eggs with small end down, Opposite position : eggs with small end up) and were stored at 15°C and 60% relative humidity (RH) for one, two or three weeks in one of the two positions. Eggs were then incubated at 37.5°C and 60% RH. In experiment 2, a total of 120 eggs were divided into two groups (Rotation : the egg box was rotated 45° on the long axis twice a day, Non-rotation : eggs were stored without movement). These eggs were stored for 3 or 4 weeks then incubated as in experiment 1. In experiment 3, a total of 240 eggs were divided randomly into 4 groups (Control : no treatment, Needle : pricked with a needle, Saline : injected with physiological saline, MEM : injected with MEM solution). After storing at 15°C and 60% RH for 2 or 3 weeks, eggs were injected with different solutions and then incubated at 37.5°C and 60% RH. In experiment 1, egg weight loss% differed significantly (P<0.01) within the storage period but no difference due to the storage position was observed. Hatchability was significantly higher (p<0.05) in eggs stored for 2 or 3 weeks in the opposite position. Early mortality was the highest after 3 weeks for the normal position group. In experiment 2, rotation had no significant effect on hatchability. There was a sharp decline in hatchability when eggs were stored for 4 weeks. In experiment 3, injection of physiological saline and MEM solutions did not improve hatchability after 3 or 4 weeks of storage.

Keywords

• egg storage
• egg position
• hatchability
• embryonic mortality