Effect of duration of storage on hatchability of Vanraja chicken eggs

Pre-incubation egg storage is a necessity for the poultry industry. A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of duration of pre-incubation storage on hatchability of chicken eggs. A total of 6234 Vanraja hatching eggs subjected to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 days of storage were incubated in forced draft incubators. Dead in germs, dead in shells and chicks hatched in each category were counted and percentage of dead in germ, dead in shell, hatchability on total eggs set (HTES) as well as hatchability on fertile eggs set (HFES) were calculated. Percentage of dead in germ and dead in shell was highest and HTES and HFES was lowest in case of very fresh eggs (set after 1 day of storage). From the day 2 onwards the percent dead germs and dead in shells increased while as HTES and HFES decreased with each additional day of storage. However the increase in percentage of Dead in Shell and decline in HTES and HFES was substantial in eggs stored for seven or more days.