Pre-Incubation and Turning During Long Storage as a Method of Improving Hatchability and Chick Quality of Japanese Quail Eggs

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effect of modification of 12 d storage conditions of quail eggs from two flocks: at 17–20 weeks of life (A) and 36–39 weeks of life (B) on the incubation time, hatch window (HW), hatching results and chicks quality. The eggs were divided into experimental groups: COI = no pre-incubation (PI); SPIDES = were treated with 4 h PI, delivered at 4, 6, 8 and 10 d of storage; EG SPIDES = were treated with variable time of PI according to the scheme 5 d – 2 h, 7 d – 3 h, 9 d – 5 h and 11 d – 6 h. In addition, in each group, half of the eggs were turned (T) every 12 h, which is indicated as COI T, SPIDES T and EG SPIDES T. Pre-incubation was conducted at 37.8°C and 50–55% RH. It has been demonstrated that both storage profiles contribute to shortened incubation time, yet the HW is deteriorated if T is not applied. The benefits resulting from the EG SPIDES profile is an increase of 2.3 points in the “average score of all chicks” index compared to the COI group. In summary, the use of PI and T, and in particular the EG SPIDES profile with the concomitant use of T during long storage of quail eggs is recommended to obtain a considerable improvement of hatching results and chick quality.

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

“…In the current study, eggs treated by SPIDES recorded a short average of hatch time, the time it took for 90% of the eggs to hatch, the mean hatching time, and the maximal hatching period, and the first chicks were recorded in 480 h of incubation. The outcomes are consistent with those of Damaziak et al ( 2018 ) and Damaziak et al ( 2021 ) who stated that the first chicks were observed in the first SPIDES group after 477 h and in the second SPIDES group after 479 h. However, the hatching window for the first SPIDES group was relatively long, lasting up to 21 h, whereas it was only 13 h long for the second SPIDES group. Longer egg holding duration was found in the research done by Dymond et al ( 2013 ) and Nasri et al ( 2017 ), and this may be the reason even in the “SPIDES” group, the scientists were able to extend the incubation period by a significant amount: 499–508 h. Also, after 21 days of cold storage, they were able to reduce the pre-incubation heating time to 6 or 12 h. Reijrink et al ( 2010 ) also found a decrease in incubation time utilizing 24 h (PI) throughout 14 days of cold storage.…”

“…Eggs saved for 5 days had a higher percentage of hatchability than eggs kept for 15 days. The outcomes are in line with those of Damaziak et al ( 2021 ); Pokhrel et al ( 2018 ) discovered that hatchability was shown to be greater after 7 days of storage compared to when it was at 0 days, and it decreased with longer storage intervals (21 to 28 days). This may be due to long-term storage, which raises albumen pH and lowers albumen elevation and thickness.…”

“…In several topical research on eggs retained in breeder facilities for a very long time, “SPIDES” have been investigated in further detail. Damaziak et al ( 2021 ), Dymond et al ( 2013 ), French et al ( 2011 ), Nicholson ( 2012 ), Nicholson et al ( 2011 ), Nicholson et al ( 2013 ), and Özlü et al ( 2021a ), they discovered a favourable effect on chick appearance and hatchability. 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.…”

Breed Of Chicken And Frequent Short Periods Of Incubation During Different Egg Storage Periods (SPIDES) Differentially Modify The Hatchability %, Chick’s Quality And Post-Hatching Bird’s Performance

“…The improved hatchability % following the frequent short bursts of SPIDES agreed with the results of Maman and Yildirim [28], Ozlu et al [27], Silva et al [31], and Tag EL-Din et al [32] who noted that short periods of incubation for 6 h before the storing for 14 days improved the hatchability % due to lowering late embryonic mortality. Moreover, our obtained results were in line with the results of Damaziak et al [33] which reported that eggs stored for 7 days had higher hatchability % than freshly laid eggs and prolonged stored ones for 21 to 28 days. This effect may be correlated with in sufficient O 2 levels for early chick embryo's metabolic demands [34] and due to increasing albumen pH with the prolonged storage, respectively.…”

Effects of short heating periods during egg storage on quail embryonic development, incubation performance, chick quality, and chick performance up to 35 days

“…Incubation is a critical stage in the poultry production system, and its efficiency is dependent on various environmental factors. Notably, the storage period of fertile eggs plays a major role, especially as the industry increasingly faces challenges with the capacity of incubation unable to keep up with the growing number of chicks, leading to extended egg storage (Damaziak et al, 2021). Prolonged storage can compromise chick quality and hatchability rates (Ayeni et al, 2020).…”