Effect of egg storage duration on spread of hatch, chick quality and organ development in FUNAAB-alpha chickens

Abstract

Effect of egg storage duration (0, 4, 8, 12 vs. 16 days) on spread of hatch, chick quality and organ development in FUNAAB-alpha chickens was determined. Hatching eggs (n=200; 53.2±4.67g) were used. Hatchability was significantly (P<=0.001) affected by storage duration. Hatchability of eggs stored for 0, 4 and 8 days was higher than for eggs stored for 12 and 16 days. Eggs stored for 4 days hatched earlier than the rest. Hatching commenced after 466 hours incubation time in eggs stored for 4 days, after 472 hours in 0 and 12 days, and 478 hours in 8 and 16 days storage duration. Time delay of 50% hatch resulting from additional storage after 4 days was 60, 45, 37.5 and 60 minutes/day for 0, 8, 12 and 16 day storage, respectively. Storage length had a significant (P<=0.05) effect on chick activity and closeness of navel. Chicks from 16 day stored eggs were less active than others. Navel closeness was higher in 8 day storage than those from fresh eggs. Chick length was significantly (P<=0.001) affected by egg storage duration. Longest chicks were obtained from 8 day storage eggs, while the shortest were from 16 day storage. The weights of gizzard (P<=0.01) and yolk remnant (P<=0.05) were affected by storage length. Gizzards in 8 and 12 day egg storage chicks were heavier than in 16 day eggs. Weights of gizzards in 0 and 4 day groups were similar to the other three groups. Yolk remnant was lightest in 8 day egg storage chicks and heaviest in 16 day egg storage chicks. In conclusion, egg storage for 4 days yielded better and earlier hatchability. To obtain chicks with good quality, egg storage should not be extended beyond 8 days.