Effect of egg storage duration and egg turning during storage on egg quality and hatching of broiler hatching eggs.

In commercial hatcheries, it is common to store eggs before incubation. One practice to improve hatchability consists in egg turning during this storage. This work aims to highlight the effects of turning on the physicochemical aspects of eggs and, consequently, how this turning can influence the hatching of chicks. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of storage duration and egg turning during storage on egg quality, hatchability, and residual analysis. A total of 7 500 hatching eggs were collected from a 55-week-old commercial Cobb500 breeder flock and storage according to the treatments. The experiment was completely randomized in a 3×2 factorial design with three storage periods (4, 8, and 12 days) and egg turning (180° turn of eggs once a day) or no turning during storage, totaling six treatments. Regardless of turning, eggs stored for 4 days weighed more than turned eggs stored for 8 and 12 days, which were similar (P < 0.05). Non-turned eggs experienced an increase in relative shell weight with increased storage duration, and non-turned eggs stored for 4 and 8 days differed from non-turned eggs stored for 12 days (P < 0.05). Albumen pH of turned eggs stored for 4 and 8 days was lower than that of non-turned eggs stored for the same durations (P < 0.05). Albumen pH of turned eggs increased as storage duration increased (P < 0.05). Egg turning increased hatching by 2.02% over that of non-turning (P < 0.05). Eggs stored for 12 days, irrespective of turning, had higher late embryonic mortality (P < 0.05) compared to the other treatments. It was concluded that turning eggs during pre-incubation storage was adequate to improve hatchability of fertile eggs. Storing fertile eggs for 12 days is harmful to egg quality and increases embryo mortality even if eggs were turned.

Methods to Evaluate the Eggshell Quality of Table Eggs

The objectives of this study were to determine the most suitable probe diameter and egg position to perform the eggshell breaking strength test using a texturometer, as well as the most reliable parameter to estimate eggshell quality when no electronic devices are available. Eggshell quality (eggshell breaking strength, eggshell weight, eggshell percentage, eggshell thickness, shell weight per unit surface area) was evaluated as a function of texturometer probe diameter (2, 10, and 75mm), egg type (white and brown) and egg position (horizontal and vertical). In the experiment, 2520 eggs from 60-week-old commercial layers were separated by specific gravity measured by flotation method in saline solution (1.070 to 1.100 g/cm3 with intervals of 0.005 g/cm3).Data were submitted to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design, and means were compared by Tukeys test (p 0.05). Correlations between characteristics were calculated using the Pearsons method. The results showed that the most suitable probe diameter for the analysis of eggshell breaking strength was 75 mm, independently of egg positioning or type egg. White eggs should be positioned vertically in relation to the probe, whereas brown can be placed in any position. When it is not possible to evaluate eggshell quality using electronic devices, the measurement of shell weight per unit surface area is recommended.(AU)

Methods to Evaluate the Eggshell Quality of Table Eggs

The objectives of this study were to determine the most suitable probe diameter and egg position to perform the eggshell breaking strength test using a texturometer, as well as the most reliable parameter to estimate eggshell quality when no electronic devices are available. Eggshell quality (eggshell breaking strength, eggshell weight, eggshell percentage, eggshell thickness, shell weight per unit surface area) was evaluated as a function of texturometer probe diameter (2, 10, and 75mm), egg type (white and brown) and egg position (horizontal and vertical). In the experiment, 2520 eggs from 60-week-old commercial layers were separated by specific gravity measured by flotation method in saline solution (1.070 to 1.100 g/cm3 with intervals of 0.005 g/cm3).Data were submitted to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design, and means were compared by Tukeys test (p 0.05). Correlations between characteristics were calculated using the Pearsons method. The results showed that the most suitable probe diameter for the analysis of eggshell breaking strength was 75 mm, independently of egg positioning or type egg. White eggs should be positioned vertically in relation to the probe, whereas brown can be placed in any position. When it is not possible to evaluate eggshell quality using electronic devices, the measurement of shell weight per unit surface area is recommended.

Effects of inverting the position of layers eggs during storage on hatchery performance parameters

Storing hatchable eggs is a common practice in commercial hatcheries. However, storage time may negative effects on several performance parameters. An experiment was carried out to evaluate inverting egg position during storage of eggs laid by young and old layer breeders. Fertile eggs of 32 and 58-week-old breeders were stored for seven, 14, and 21 days at 18ºC ± 2ºC and 80% ± 10% relative humidity (RU). The following parameters were evaluated: egg weight loss, hatchability and hatchling weight, and embryodiagnosis results. Eggs stored with the small end up lost less weight during storage compared with the control eggs. Storing eggs for 14 days with the small end up reduced early embryo mortality, improving hatchability. In addition, hatchling weight increased. These results show that the detrimental effects of long storage periods may be alleviated when eggs are stored with the small end up to 14 days of storage.(AU)

Effects of inverting the position of layers eggs during storage on hatchery performance parameters

Storing hatchable eggs is a common practice in commercial hatcheries. However, storage time may negative effects on several performance parameters. An experiment was carried out to evaluate inverting egg position during storage of eggs laid by young and old layer breeders. Fertile eggs of 32 and 58-week-old breeders were stored for seven, 14, and 21 days at 18ºC ± 2ºC and 80% ± 10% relative humidity (RU). The following parameters were evaluated: egg weight loss, hatchability and hatchling weight, and embryodiagnosis results. Eggs stored with the small end up lost less weight during storage compared with the control eggs. Storing eggs for 14 days with the small end up reduced early embryo mortality, improving hatchability. In addition, hatchling weight increased. These results show that the detrimental effects of long storage periods may be alleviated when eggs are stored with the small end up to 14 days of storage.

Effects of egg position in artificial incubation of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix japonica)

Incubation procedures are important for maintenance and improvement of quail egg production. Many factors can interfere with the success of incubation or the quality of hatched chicks. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the effects of different positions and turning during artificial incubation of Japanese quail eggs on hatchability, egg weight loss, chick weight, and embryonic mortality. Eighty Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were used for egg collection. Six hundred eggs were divided into four experimental groups (n = 150), according to their position during incubation: vertical position with small end up, vertical position with small end down, horizontal position without turning, and horizontal position with turning. Incubation process was done by automatic hatcheries with temperature of 37.5ºC and relative humidity of 60%. All eggs were weighed on their collection day and during incubation period to verify egg weight loss. All quail chicks were weighed at hatch. The eggs incubated in horizontal position with turning had the highest hatchability (77%), while the ones incubated in vertical position with small end up presented the lowest hatchability (8%). Egg position and turning influenced water loss during incubation. The groups with better hatchability presented lower egg weight loss and better hatch weight. The infertility-early embryo death was similar to the late embryo death in the eggs incubated in horizontal position with turning, while in the groups incubated in static position, the late embryo death was higher. The late embryo death was considered the main cause of mortality in the groups incubated in horizontal position without turning (31%), vertical position with small end down (24%) and vertical position with small end up (70%).(AU)

Effects of egg position in artificial incubation of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix japonica)

Incubation procedures are important for maintenance and improvement of quail egg production. Many factors can interfere with the success of incubation or the quality of hatched chicks. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the effects of different positions and turning during artificial incubation of Japanese quail eggs on hatchability, egg weight loss, chick weight, and embryonic mortality. Eighty Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were used for egg collection. Six hundred eggs were divided into four experimental groups (n = 150), according to their position during incubation: vertical position with small end up, vertical position with small end down, horizontal position without turning, and horizontal position with turning. Incubation process was done by automatic hatcheries with temperature of 37.5ºC and relative humidity of 60%. All eggs were weighed on their collection day and during incubation period to verify egg weight loss. All quail chicks were weighed at hatch. The eggs incubated in horizontal position with turning had the highest hatchability (77%), while the ones incubated in vertical position with small end up presented the lowest hatchability (8%). Egg position and turning influenced water loss during incubation. The groups with better hatchability presented lower egg weight loss and better hatch weight. The infertility-early embryo death was similar to the late embryo death in the eggs incubated in horizontal position with turning, while in the groups incubated in static position, the late embryo death was higher. The late embryo death was considered the main cause of mortality in the groups incubated in horizontal position without turning (31%), vertical position with small end down (24%) and vertical position with small end up (70%).