Successful hatching: at the right place in the right time

Dr. Roos Molenaar M.Sc.

At the end of the incubation process, the embryo emerges from the eggshell. The embryo needs to move in the right position to make the hatching process successful. However, incubation temperature can negatively influence the position of the embryo and decrease hatchability and chick quality.

The changes in the position of the embryo that are required for hatching start around day 18 of incubation. The embryo moves with its head to the blunt end of the egg and with its beak under the right wing close to the air cell. The pores in the eggshell are not able to provide the embryo with enough oxygen anymore at the end of the incubation process. As a consequence, CO2 level increases in the air cell and trigger the embryo to penetrate the air cell with its beak and breath for the first time through its lungs. Around 12 to 24 hours after penetrating the air cell, the embryo punches a hole in the eggshell. The embryo creates a circle at the blunt end of the egg by its beak and rotates in the egg by moving its right wing. This process takes 8 to 12 hours. The embryo is wet and exhausted ater emerging and it takes a few hours before it is dry and active. Download the entire article via the button below.