Effect of storage temperature fluctuation on embryonic development and mortality, and hatchability of broiler hatching eggs

Abstract

The effects of temperature fluctuation during 7 d of storage on stage of blastoderm development, embryonic mortality, and hatchability of broiler hatching eggs were studied. Hatching eggs from 2 commercial flocks of Ross 308 broiler breeders at 27 and 50 wk of age, respectively, were randomly assigned to replicate chambers with either a constant temperature (Constant) of 18°C or a temperature that fluctuated (Fluctuated) over a 40 min period 3 times daily (0900 h, 1300 h, and 1700 h) between 18°C and 21°C. This latter treatment was intended to mimic the opening of an egg storage room door to add freshly collected eggs. The developmental stages of the blastoderm before and after storage were determined. At each flock age, there were 10 replicate trays of 60 eggs per egg storage temperature treatment set in a single stage incubator. All unhatched eggs were opened and examined macroscopically to determine fertility or embryonic mortality (early dead (0 to 7 d), middle + late dead (8 to 21 d plus pipped eggs), and to calculate percentage hatchability of fertile eggs. Embryonic development was advanced by flock age (P < 0.10) and fluctuating temperature treatment (P < 0.05). Blastoderm stages were determined according to Eyal Giladi and Kockav (EGK). The Fluctuated vs. Constant treatment exhibited an EGK of 9.8 vs. 9.1 (P < 0.05) in the young flock and EGK of 11.0 vs. 10.1 (P < 0.05) in the old flock. During 7 d of storage, Fluctuated temperature decreased early embryonic mortality (P < 0.05) in the eggs from the young flock but increased early embryonic mortality (P < 0.05) in the eggs from the old flock, which decreased (P < 0.05) hatchability of fertile eggs in the old flock. The fluctuating temperature conditions that did not negatively affect the younger flock eggs were not favorable for eggs from the older flock.

Interactions between Egg Storage Duration and Breeder Age on Selected Egg Quality, Hatching Results, and Chicken Quality

“…In fact, prolonged storage resulted in a higher early and middle mortality than shorter storage, but this effect was more pronounced in older breeders. Okur et al [ 52 ] and Özlü et al [ 53 ] also noted a higher embryonic mortality rate with stored eggs from older breeders (55 vs. 32 weeks and 27 vs. 50 weeks, respectively). Tona et al [ 18 ] attributed the higher reduction of hatchability of prolonged stored eggs of older breeders to the lower quality of the albumen at oviposition compared to younger breeders.…”

The effect of storage periods and SPIDES on embryonic mortality, hatching characteristics, and quality of newly hatched chicks in broiler eggs

“…Nicholson et al ( 2013 ) documented that in SPIDES treatment, the highest outcomes showed whenever the shell temperature was above > 32°C for 2–5 h and maintained at 35 °C for 2–3 h. Özlü et al ( 2021a ) and Reijrink et al ( 2009 ) hypothesized that fetus is in the pre-gastrula phase of growth at egg collection, and SPIDES treatment with extended storage periods is most advantageous. Özlü et al ( 2018 ), Özlü et al ( 2021a ), and Pokhrel et al ( 2018 ) they noted that newly laid eggs from younger breeder flocks exhibit earlier embryonic mortalities than eggs from older breeder flocks.…”

Maternal supplementation of different trace mineral sources on broiler breeder production and progeny growth and gut health

“…Maternal nutrition can affect embryonic development and progeny growth since all nutrients required for embryo development are acquired by nutrient transfer from the breeders ( Richards et al, 2010 ; Özlü et al, 2018 ; Emamverdi et al, 2019 ). More trace minerals could be transferred from breeders to progeny chicks when breeders were fed highly bioavailable source of minerals, MMHAC.…”