Abstract

The quality of the hatching eggs decreases when the storage period is prolonged leading to a loss of water from the egg. The current study aimed to assess the effects of coverage, storage, and pre-incubation on egg characteristics of broiler breeders. A total of 360 broiler breeder eggs (Ross, 308) used in the current study were randomly distributed in a three-factorial experiment (2 × 2 × 3). The study included two treatments for coverage (covered with nylon and uncovered), two treatments (4 and 7 days) for storage, and three treatments (0, 4, and 8 hours) for pre-incubation. For each treatment, there were three replicates (10 eggs in each replicate). The eggs were pre-incubated at 37.5°C (99.5°F) and 85% relative humidity, while the storage temperature was 15-18°C and 55-60% relative humidity. The results showed that the hatchability from fertile eggs significantly increased in covered eggs, compared to uncovered ones. However, the characteristics of the shell and the shape index were not significantly affected by the three factors. Yolk high and yolk index significantly decreased in eggs stored for seven days, compared to the eggs stored for four days. Eggs coverage during storage significantly reduced moisture loss on the first and seventh days of egg incubation, compared to uncovered eggs. In addition, the lowest significant value of moisture loss appeared at incubation days of 7, 15, and 18 for covered eggs with 4 days of storage but without pre-incubation. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that the coverage decreased moisture loss during egg storage. Furthermore, the interaction between coverage factor and pre-incubation factor indicated the albumin high increased significantly in eggs covered and pre-incubated for 8 hours.