An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of two different hatching-egg storage environments on the subsequent performance of broiler chickens. The two environments involved: (1) an improved egg storage method consisting of eggs packed small endup on fiber trays, enclosed in vinylidene (Cryovac) bags flushed with nitrogen gas; and (2) eggs packed in the conventional manner small end-down on fiber trays. The effects of preincubation fumigation was also evaluated. A 20-min fumigation was conducted prior to packing the eggs using 1.5 ml formalin and 1 g potassium permanganate per 0.028 m3 of fumigation chamber. Fumigated eggs were ventilated 24 hr before packaging. The improved storage method resulted in the higher hatchability of broiler chicks, lower mortality, higher growth rate, and higher monetary returns to 8 weeks of age compared with chicks hatched from eggs stored under conventional conditions. There were no significant differences in the performance of chicks hatched from eggs stored for 23 and 30 days under the improved storage method and chickens hatched from eggs held only 2 days prior to incubation. Fumigation effects on subsequent bird performance appeared to have no important effect. It is concluded that deleterious effects on chick performance associated with the prolonged storage of hatching eggs under conventional methods can be reduced or eliminated by using improved egg storage methods.
Research Note: Effect of Preincubation Storage of Hatching Eggs on Subsequent Performance of White Leghorn Hens
