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Effects of Length of Egg Nest Holding Time and High Environmental Temperatures on Prestorage Embryonic Development, Survival, and Hatchability of Broiler Breeders

Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada

J. L. Wilson

Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

F. E. Robinson and R. T. Hardin

Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; Phone: (780) 492-3234; FAX: (780) 492-9130

Correspondence: F. E. Robinson, E-mail:frobinson{at}afns.ualberta.ca

Embryos from broiler breeder eggs were analyzed to determine if length of egg nest holding time together with high environmental temperature affected prestorage embryonic growth and survival (hatchability of fertile eggs). Embryos from eggs that remained in the nest for longer periods of time were more developed than were embryos from eggs collected soon after oviposition (egg laying). Hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs, and the incidence of early dead embryos were not significantly affected by length of egg nest holding time. Although embryos of eggs remaining in the nests for longer periods of time were more developed, the stage of embryonic development at the time of egg storage did not significantly influence hatchability under the environmental temperatures tested in this study.

Key Words: Broiler breeders • egg nest holding time • embryo survival • environmental temperature • hatchability • prestorage embryonic development