Short periods of incubation, egg turning during storage and broiler breeder hens age for early development of embryos, hatching results, chicks quality and juvenile growth

Abstract

An effect of modification of storage conditions of the eggs of broiler breeder flocks at the age of 49-, 52- and 70-, 73-wks of life on an early embryonic development, hatching time and synchronization, hatchability rates, chicks quality and broiler growth was investigated. The eggs were divided into 4 experimental groups: COI = eggs storage 5 d, at turning every 12 h; NSP = eggs storage 12 d, at turning every 12 h; SPIDES = were treated with 4 h pre-incubation at 30°C and 50-55% air humidity, delivered at 5 and 10 d over of 12 d of storage, and turning every 12 h; NCOI = eggs storage 12 d, no turning and no pre-incubation. Eggs from older hens were characterized by poorer hatchability and poorer chicks quality. The use of 2 × 4 h pre-incubation in 12 d of eggs storage could have an effect on the initial acceleration of embryonic development in eggs of young hens, contributing to the alignment of embryos development in eggs from young and older hens to 72 h of incubation. Pre-incubation had no effect on the length of incubation period, hatching window, but it increased the hatchability of the set and apparently fertilized eggs and decreased the number of eggs not hatched, and also improved chicks quality. Eggs turning by 90° every 12 h during the storage positively affected the embryonic development, shortening the incubation time and the quality of chicks, but had no effect on hatchability rates and body weight in 42 d of life. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that the applied modifications can be effective in counteracting the negative effects of storage of hatching eggs from both young and older birds.

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

“…These results agree those of Latour et al [ 77 ] who studied hatchlings from Arbor Acres breeder aged of 36 and 51 weeks. Damaziak et al [ 78 ] noted also, a decrease of the chick quality (−5 points based on Tona score) as well as an increase of the chick weight (+9.2 g) with breeder age (49 to 52 weeks vs. 70 to 73 weeks). In the same line, Rifkhan et al [ 79 ] reported the increase of the hatchling weight by +12.72 g and the hatchling length by +1.1 cm when breeder age increased from 26–35 weeks to 46–55 weeks, which is probably related to egg weight at set.…”

Comparison of Several Turning Frequencies During the Storage Period of Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) Hatching Eggs

“…One of these aspects is egg turning during storage before incubation, which is a management practice applied in other poultry species to promote embryonic development and performance during subsequent incubation. Egg turning improves the interaction of the chorioallantoic membrane with the inner shell membrane, allowing adequate chorioallantoic membrane development when the typical incubation temperature is reached (Elibol et al, 2002;Damaziak et al, 2018). However, there is no consensus in the poultry literature regarding the mechanisms involved in the effects of egg turning during storage, nor on the optimal turning regime (Elibol et al, 2002;Damaziak et al, 2018).…”

“…Egg turning improves the interaction of the chorioallantoic membrane with the inner shell membrane, allowing adequate chorioallantoic membrane development when the typical incubation temperature is reached (Elibol et al, 2002;Damaziak et al, 2018). However, there is no consensus in the poultry literature regarding the mechanisms involved in the effects of egg turning during storage, nor on the optimal turning regime (Elibol et al, 2002;Damaziak et al, 2018). The most positive effects of egg turning during storage have been reported in eggs from older hens (Damaziak et al, 2018), or in low-quality eggs (Elibol et al, 2002).…”

“…However, there is no consensus in the poultry literature regarding the mechanisms involved in the effects of egg turning during storage, nor on the optimal turning regime (Elibol et al, 2002;Damaziak et al, 2018). The most positive effects of egg turning during storage have been reported in eggs from older hens (Damaziak et al, 2018), or in low-quality eggs (Elibol et al, 2002). In general terms, more egg turning benefits are observed when eggs are stored for longer (over 14 d) than shorter periods (reviewed by Elibol et al, 2002).…”

Reproductive Function in Hybrid Poultry. V. The Effect of Egg Storage Prior to Incubation

“…Согласно данным К. Damaziak с соавт. (83), выводимость хранившихся яиц от бройлерных кур 70-и 73-недельного возраста, а также качество получаемых от них цыплят хуже, чем в случае 49-и 52недельных самок. Яйца от молодых матерей выдерживают более длительное хранение при высокой температуре и низкой влажности, чем снесенные несушками в конце продуктивного периода (84).…”