Effects of setting eggs small end up on hatchability and posthatching performance of broilers

Abstract

1. Hatchability of fertile eggs incubated with their small ends up (SEU) was 16 to 27% lower than for eggs set with their large ends up (LEU). In addition, the SEU position produced more non‐viable chicks.

2. There were no differences in post‐hatching performance between the two incubation treatments.

3. A survey in a commercial hatchery revealed that the frequencies of eggs set upside down by mistake varied from 0.3% to 3.4%. The setting of eggs upside down was attributed not to difficulties in distinguishing the large and small ends of of the eggs but to human error. A decrease in the number of Grade‐A chicks of about 0.2% was observed for every 1% of eggs set upside down, suggesting it may be of economic importance to ensure that the eggs are set properly with their large ends up.