Effects of age and eggshell thickness on the hatching results of stored broiler breeder eggs
TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION, cilt.55, sa.5, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 55 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2023
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11250-023-03746-6
- Dergi Adı: TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Veterinary Science Database
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The present study was conducted to determine the effects of breeder age and eggshell thickness on the hatching results of broiler breeders. A total of 3000 eggs were collected from three flocks at different ages, viz., 27 (young), 48 (middle-aged) and 65 (old) weeks. Eggs were individually weighed and eggshell thicknesses were determined using an ultrasound gauge. The eggs of each age group were classified as thin-, medium- or thick-shelled and stored for 7 days at 18 degrees C and 60% relative humidity prior to incubation. Total egg weight loss during storage and incubation was higher in middle-aged (48 weeks old) flock eggs (11.46%) than in young (10.14%) and old (10.37%) flock eggs. Hatchability was significantly lower in the eggs of the old flock than of the other flocks. The highest hatchability (70.6%) was observed in the young flock. Eggs with thick shells better tolerated the detrimental effects of storage and more eggs remained fertile than amongst the medium- and thin-shelled eggs. The overall hatchability of the old flock was 38.0%, whilst hatchability of set eggs in the thick-shelled group of old flock eggs was 58.3%.