An optimal start to the incubation process improves hatchability

Dr. Inge van Roovert-Reijrink M.Sc.

Storage of hatching eggs is a common procedure at breeder farms and hatcheries. Normally, commercial hatcheries set their eggs after 3 to 5 days of storage to minimise the negative effect of egg storage on hatchability and chick quality. However, due to variations in the supply of hatching eggs and market demand for day-old chicks, hatcheries sometimes need to increase the storage duration.

It is well known that an increase in storage duration increases hatch time and decreases hatchability, hatchling quality, and subsequent performance, and increases post-hatch mortality. The research department of HatchTech showed that the decrease in hatchability of 0.93% per storage day when storage duration increased from 3 to 14 days is mainly caused by an increase in embryonic mortality from days 0 to 9 of incubation. Download the entire article via the button below.