Hatchability as Influenced by Environmental and Different Storage Temperatures

Abstract

INTRODUCTION A LARGE volume of eggs is brought into Maryland each week from the New England States to satisfy the requirements of the hatchery industry. As a whole, the percentage hatchability of these eggs is particularly good, but during the winter months when temperatures fluctuate around the freezing point it is generally believed that hatchability is affected adversely if truck shipments are slow in reaching their destination. It was the purpose of this study to subject hatching eggs to different storage temperatures for variable lengths of time and to determine the effects of prevailing weather conditions upon hatchability. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hatching eggs were obtained from five flock matings of New Hampshire pullets and cockerels which were kept on the poultry farm of the University. Four of the pen matings were housed in a portion of a conventional type laying house (20′×160′) and the fifth group of pullets was housed . . .