Research Note: Effect of egg storage length on spread of hatch window, chick quality, and organ development in Transylvanian naked neck chickens

Two hundred and twenty eggs from Transylvanian naked neck (TNN) chickens aged 30 wk were used to determine the effect of storage length on hatch window, chick quality, and organ development. Forty-four eggs (11 eggs in 4 replicates) were stored in cold room (16±1.5°C) in batches for 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 d before setting in incubator. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Hatchability of set and fertile eggs declined (P < 0.001) progressively as duration of storage increased, however, storage for 6 and 9 d differed not from each other. For 50% hatch, there was a decrease of 30 min/d in hatching time by 3 d-stored eggs before fresh eggs, while eggs stored for 6, 9, and 12 d had delay of 70, 65, and 30 min/d, respectively. Hatching commenced earlier (P < 0.01) in eggs stored for 0 and 3 d than in prolonged storage of eggs for 6 to 12 d. Eggs stored for 12 d recorded shorter (P < 0.001) hatch window than those stored for 0 to 9d. Significantly (P < 0.01) more eggs hatched per hour during hatch window in fresh eggs (3.9%/h) than other storage durations (1.70–2.12 %/h). Fresh and 6 d eggs hatched into heavier (P < 0.05) chicks (37.2 and 37.5 g, respectively) than 12d (32.7g). Chicks from 9 and 12 d storage were shorter in length than those for 0 to 6 d. Toe (P < 0.01) and shank+toe (P < 0.001) were longer in 0 d chicks than others. Activity and appearance were poorer (P < 0.01) in 12 d chicks than other groups. The quality of eye was better (P < 0.05) in 0 to 6 d chicks than 12 d group, however, 9 d chicks were similar to 12 d. Larger membrane remnant were found in 6 to 12 d chicks (P < 0.001) than in 0 d chicks, though not different from 3 d group. Navel of chicks from eggs stored for 0, 3, and 6 d were more closed than in 9 d, though not different from 12 d. Yolk remnant was larger in chicks of 3, 9, and 12 d storage length than in fresh and 6 d storage length. Tona score was higher in 0 to 6 d chicks than in 9 and 12 d chicks. There was no (P > 0.05) effect of egg storage length on chick yield and relative weight of chick organs. It could be concluded that in order to ensure good hatchability and quality chicks, TNN eggs could be stored for 3 d, but not beyond 6 d without intervention such as prewarming of long-stored eggs.