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The Influence of Shell Thickness on Hatchability in Commercial Broiler Breeder Flocks

Department of Animal & Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W0 Canada; Phone: (306) 966-6597; FAX: (306) 966-4151

Correspondence: Carlyle D. Bennett

The hatchability of then and thick shelled eggs was compared for 25 broiler breeder flocks. Shell thickness of the eggs was determined by using salt solutions with specific gravities of 1.075, 1.080 and 1.085 to measure the average egg specific gravity. Eggs that floated in solutions with specific gravities of 1.080 or lower were classified as thin shelled. The average specific gravity for the flocks in this study declined below the industry standard of 1.080 at 42 weeks of age. Greater numbers of embryos in thin shelled eggs died throughout incubation, and hatchability was lower than in thick shelled eggs. Using salt solutions to determine shell thickness had little or no effect on the hatchability of the eggs tested.

Key Words: Broiler breeder • fertility • hatchability • shell thickness • specific gravity