Storage of eggs in water affects internal egg quality, embryonic development and hatchling quality

Henry van den Brand*, Inge Reijrink†, Linda Hoekstra*, and Bas Kemp*

*Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University,PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands; † HatchTech Incubation Technology, PO Box 256, 3900 AG Veenendaal, The Netherlands.

In a series of experiments, effects of storage of eggs in water on internal egg quality, embryonic development, and hatchling quality were investigated. In experiment 1, unfertilized eggs were stored for 4 to 14 d in water (W) or air (control; C). In experiment 2, fertilized eggs were stored for 3 to 14 d in water or air and thereafter incubated for 9 d. In experiment 3, eggs were stored for 16 d in water or air and incubated for 1 to 9 d thereafter. In experiment 4, eggs were stored for 14 d in water or air, incubated thereafter, and hatching time and hatchling quality were determined. Download the entire article via the button below.