Effects of strain, hen age and transferring eggs from turning to stationary trays after 15 to 18 days of incubation

Abstract

1. A total of 39,000 eggs (260 incubation batches) produced by Hybro, Cobb and Ross were studied. They were transferred from incubators to hatchers at day 15, 16, 17 or 18 of incubation. 2. Hatchability increased in proportion to the day of transfer and it was higher when the transfer occurred at day 18, whereas the differences between hatchability for days 15, 16 and 17 were not significant. 3. The hatchability of the Hybro eggs was more affected by the transfer time, as were the eggs of the older flock (51 weeks and more). 4. The percentage of unhatched embryos increased with the age of the breeders and decreased with the day of transfer. In addition, the percentage of unhatched embryos was affected by the strain of hen. 5. It was concluded that transfer time has to be considered in order to optimise hatchability and chick quality, especially if the eggs from older flocks are incubated.