Egg Storage Time Affects Incubation Yield and Hatch Window in Pekin Ducks (Anas Boschas)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage time on albumen quality, incubation yield, and hatch window in Pekin ducks (Anas boschas). A total of 1302 eggs were randomly distributed to seven treatments according to the storage time with durations ranging from 1 to 14 days. Each treatment consisted of 186 eggs with a twoday storage interval between treatments. The pH and Haugh unit (HU) of the albumen, egg weight loss during incubation (WL), hatchability (HTCH), incubation duration (ID), hatch window, asymmetry (ASS), percentile kurtosis (PK), and embryonic mortality were analyzed. A linear effect was observed forthe WL, ID, and PK and a quadratic effect forpH, HU, and HTCH over time. No significant effect of storage time was observed on ASS. Post-pipping embryonic mortality was linearly affected by storage time. Prolonging the storage period above 10 days reduces albumen quality and hatchability, delays the hatch of Pekins, and results in a higher percentage of post-pipping mortality.

Pre-incubation storage time and in ovo injection with maltodextrin on Pekin duck incubation parameters

“…In older hens, the maximum hatchability percentage is assessed with eggs incubated immediately after laying, whereas eggs laid by younger hens show higher hatchability rates when stored (KIRK et al, 1980). PEREIRA et al (2021) observed an increased hatchability in eggs from hens with 52 weeks of age when incubated for up to two days after pre-incubation storage. In the present study, the hens were 31-40 weeks old and thus younger hens, which may explain the better hatchability results after one day of pre-incubation storage.…”

“…In the present study, hatchability unexpectedly did not decrease with pre-incubation storage time increases, possibly due to the short storage period evaluated. In some studies with Pekin duck eggs, differences in hatchability were observed after 10 days of pre-incubation storage (SÖZCÜ & IPEK, 2018;PEREIRA et al, 2021).…”

“…However, short pre-incubation storage periods (three-seven days) help incubation as this period is necessary for gelatinization to occur, to reach an adequate pH, and for the formation of the air sac, which is essential for embryonic development (NASRI et al, 2020). Thus, storing eggs for an adequate period can improve their hatchability index (NASRI et al, 2020;PEREIRA et al, 2021).…”

“…Several studies have assessed the effect of pre-incubation storage time on embryonic development as well as hatching delay and parameters in chickens (FASENKO et al, 2001, DYMOND et al, 2013 and Pekin ducks (SÖZCÜ & IPEK, 2018;PEREIRA et al, 2021). Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of in ovo injection in chickens (TAKO et al, 2004;ZHANG et al, 2016;RETES et al, 2018) and ducks (CHEN et al, 2010;GAAFAR et al, 2013), but no study has assessed the effects of in ovo injection with maltodextrin on Pekin ducks.…”