Effects of pre-incubation upside-down positioning of eggs from breeder flocks with different ages on hatchability and chick quality
A. Salahi A D , M. Moosanezhad Khabisi B and A. K. Esmailizadeh C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Animal Science, Varamin-Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Varamin, Tehran, Iran.
B Department of Animal Science, Kahnooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kahnooj, Kerman, Iran.
C Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, PB 76169-133, Iran.
D Corresponding author. Email: ahmad.salahi2010@gmail.com
Animal Production Science 52(4) 269-275 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11127
Submitted: 26 June 2011 Accepted: 4 January 2012 Published: 6 March 2012
Abstract
Effects of pre-incubation upside-down positioning of eggs (from collection time at the farm until delivery to the hatchery, which can be up to 5 days) and breeder flock age on hatchability and chick quality were investigated. In this study, 5400 eggs from broiler breeder flocks were assigned to two groups (upside-down and normal position eggs as Control group). The birds were divided in three age groups (46, 73 and 107 weeks of age). Each age group had six replicates with 150 eggs per replicate. The results indicated that keeping eggs in an upside-down position reduced (P < 0.05) hatchability by 4.3% compared with the Control (normal position) group. Also, reversed egg positioning significantly increased relative intestine weight (P < 0.05) and percentage of embryo mortality between 18–19 days of incubation (P < 0.01). Flock age affected (P < 0.01) hatchability, egg shape index, chick cull percentage, infertile eggs, total embryo mortality, percentage egg weight loss and chick yield. The lowest hatchability and the highest percentage egg weight loss were observed in flocks with 107 weeks of age.
Additional keywords: broiler breeder, chick quality, flock age, hatchability, upside-down egg positioning.
References
Abiola SS, Meshioye OO, Oyerinde BO, Bamgbose MA (2008) Effect of egg size on hatchability of broiler chicks. Archives de Zootecnia 57, 83–86.Abudabos A (2010) The effect of broiler breeder strain and parent flock age on hatchability and fertile hatchability. International Journal of Poultry Science 9, 231–235.
| The effect of broiler breeder strain and parent flock age on hatchability and fertile hatchability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bahojb Ghidsi M, Maheri-sis N, Lotfi A, Sadegh Abedi A (2010) Effects of setting eggs small end up on hatchability and embryo mortality in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Global Veterinaria 4, 592–594.
Bains BS (1994) Internal egg quality influence on fertility and hatchability. World’s Poultry Science Journal 10, 35–37.
Barta Z, Szekely T (1997) The optimal shape of avian eggs. Functional Ecology 11, 656–662.
| The optimal shape of avian eggs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bauer F, Tullett SG, Wilson HR (1990) Effects of setting eggs small end up on hatchability and post hatching performance of broilers. British Poultry Science 31, 715–724.
| Effects of setting eggs small end up on hatchability and post hatching performance of broilers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK3M3ms1Shuw%3D%3D&md5=1fb385ba441826b95491802a8d6a4ff3CAS |
Boerjan M (2006) Chick vitality and uniformity. International Hatchery Practice 20, 7–8.
Bourassa DV, Buhr RJ, Wilson JL (2003) Elevated egg holding-room temperature of 74°F (23°C) does not depress hatchability or chick quality. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 12, 1–6.
Butcher GD, Nilipour AH (2009) ‘Chicken embryo malpositions and deformities.’ (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL) Available at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm095 [Verified 22 January 2012]
Cobb-Vantress Inc. (2008) ‘Cobb hatchery management guide.’ (Cobb-Vantress: Siloam Springs, AR) Available at http://www. cobb-vantress.com [Verified 22 January 2012]
Deeming DC, Van Middelkoop JH (1999) Effect of strain and flock age on fertility and early embryonic mortality of broiler breeder eggs. British Poultry Science 40, 22–23.
| Effect of strain and flock age on fertility and early embryonic mortality of broiler breeder eggs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dikmen BY, Dikmen S (2008) ‘The effects of egg shape index on incubation results of layer breeders.’ (International Poultry Scientific Forum: Atlanta, GA)
French NA (1997) Modeling incubation temperature: the effects of incubator design, embryonic development and egg size. Poultry Science 76, 124–133.
Latour MA, Peebles ED, Doyle SM, Pansky T, Smith TW, Boyle CR (1998) Broiler breeder age and dietary fat influence the yolk fatty acid profiles of fresh eggs and newly hatched chicks. Poultry Science 77, 47–53.
Moraes TGV, Romao JM, Teixeria RSC, Cardoso WM (2008) Effects of egg position in artificial incubation of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix japonica). Animal Reproduction 5, 50–54.
PasReform (2008a) ‘Effects of setting eggs with small ends up on hatch ability and chick performance.’ (PasReform Hatchery Technologies: Zeddam, The Netherlands)
PasReform (2008b) ‘Incubation guide.’ (PasReform Hatchery Technologies: Zeddam, The Netherlands) Available at http://www.pasreform.com/order-pas-reform-incubation-guide.html [Verified 22 January 2012]
Proudfoot FG (1973) Effects of small-end up egg orientation on haugh unit scores after storage for 8 and 15 days. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 53, 415–416.
| Effects of small-end up egg orientation on haugh unit scores after storage for 8 and 15 days.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rayan GN, Galal A, Fathi MM, El-attar AH (2010) Impact of layer breeder flock age and strain on mechanical and ultrastructural properties of eggshell in chicken. International Journal of Poultry Science 9, 139–147.
| Impact of layer breeder flock age and strain on mechanical and ultrastructural properties of eggshell in chicken.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reijrink IVR (2009) Alternative egg storage methods: small end up or turning. Hatchtech Incubation Technology. Available at http://www.hatchtech.nl [Verified 22 January 2012]
Robinson FE, Fasenko GM, Renema RA (2003) ‘New developments in reproduction and incubation of broiler chickens.’ (Spotted Cow Press: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
Sahan U, Ipek A, Yilmaz B (2003) The effects of storage temperature and position on embryonic mortality of ostrich eggs. South African Journal of Animal Science 33, 38–42.
SAS Institute (2004) ‘SAS procedure guide. Version 9.1.’ (SAS Institute: Cary, NC)
Schulte-Drüggelte R (2011) Recommendations for hatching egg handling and storage. Lohmann Information 46, 56–60.
Suarez ME, Wilson HR, Mather FB, Wilcox CJ, Mc Pherson BN (1997) Effect of strain and age of the broiler breeder female on incubation time and chick weight. Poultry Science 76, 1029–1036.
Takeshita K, McDaniel GR (1982) Relationship of egg position during incubation on early embryonic growth and hatching of broiler breeder eggs. Poultry Science 61, 667–672.
Tiwary AKR, Maeda T (2005) Effects of egg storage position and injection of solutions in stored eggs on hatchability in chickens (Gallus domesticus). Journal of Poultry Science 42, 356–362.
| Effects of egg storage position and injection of solutions in stored eggs on hatchability in chickens (Gallus domesticus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tona K, Bamelis F, Coucke W, Bruggeman V, Decuypere E (2001) Relationship between broiler breeder’s age and percentage egg weight loss and embryonic mortality during incubation in large scale condition. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 10, 221–227.
Tona K, Onagbesan O, De Ketelaere B, Decuypere E, Bruggeman V (2004) Effects of age of broiler breeders on egg quality, hatchability, chick quality chick weight and chick post-hatch growth to 24 days. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 13, 10–18.
Tullet S (2009) ‘Investigating hatchery practice.’ (Ross Technology: Scotland). Available at http://www.aviagen.com [Verified 22 January 2012]
Ulmer-Franco AM, Fasenko GM, O’Dea Christopher EE (2010) Hatching egg characteristics, chick quality and broiler performance at 2 breeder flock ages and from 3 egg weights. Poultry Science 89, 2735–2742.
| Hatching egg characteristics, chick quality and broiler performance at 2 breeder flock ages and from 3 egg weights.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cbmvFCksA%3D%3D&md5=f4dae1331152e00b2c14de446af4ba10CAS |
Willemsen H, Everaert N, Witters A, De Smit L, Debonne M, Verschuere F, Garain P, Berckmans D, Decuypere E, Bruggeman V (2008) Critical assessment of chick quality measurements as an indicator of post hatch performance. Poultry Science 87, 2358–2366.
| Critical assessment of chick quality measurements as an indicator of post hatch performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1cnnt1OqtQ%3D%3D&md5=f00f6dadb5fa7659c5fa84d0673c5941CAS |
Wilson HR (1991) Interrelationships of egg size, chick size, posthatching growth and hatchability. World’s Poultry Science Journal 47, 5–12.
| Interrelationships of egg size, chick size, posthatching growth and hatchability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson HR (2003) ‘Incubation and hatching of ratites.’ (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL)
Wilson HR (2004) ‘Hatchability problem analysis.’ (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL)
Wilson HR, Neuman SL, Eldred AR, Mather FB (2003) Embryonic malpositions in broiler chickens and bobwhite quail. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 12, 14–23.
Wineland M, Christopher C (2007) ‘The importance of traying eggs with the large end up.’ 4/96, PS Facts #20. (North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC)
Yannakopoulos AL, Tserveni-Gousi AS (1986) Quality characteristics of quail eggs. British Poultry Science 27, 171–176.
| Quality characteristics of quail eggs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yoho DE, Moyle JR, Swaffar AD, Bramwell RK (2008) Effect of incubating poor quality broiler breeder hatching eggs on overall hatchability and hatch of fertile. Poultry Science 87, 148
