Vol. 9, Issue 5, Part L (2024)

Author(s): N Kowsalya and Dr. M Anandhi

Abstract: This study investigated the effect short periods of incubation during egg storage (SPIDES) with or without turning on long-term storage on chick quality parameters of long stored hatching eggs. A total of 750 broiler hatching eggs from 33.5 weeks old parent stock were divided into five groups: T₁ (Control without SPIDES), T₂ (3 SPIDES without turning), T₃ (3 SPIDES and 3 turning during each SPIDES), T₄ (4 SPIDES without turning) and T₅ (4 SPIDES and 3 turning during each SPIDES). Eggs were stored at 17 °C with 75% relative humidity and SPIDES treated eggs were periodically exposed to 37.7 °C for 3 hours at five days interval. All eggs were stored for 21 days and incubated at 22^nd day. The SPIDES with turning treatment group eggs were turned by 45º angle on either side of an hourly interval. The results showed significant differences between treatment groups in body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and livability. In conclusion, the SPIDES treatment, particularly with 4 SPIDES with 3 turning during each SPIDES at every five day intervals during a 21 days storage period, enhanced overall production performances of broiler chicken.