Abstract

Egg storage duration is highly critical to hatching performance and chick development. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of different egg storage durations on the hatching traits of crossbred chickens. In total, 128 hatching eggs were used in this experiment. The eggs were randomly distributed into four treatments and four replications, with each replication consisting of eight eggs. The treatments were based on the storage duration of the hatching eggs, including one day (T1), four days (T2), seven days (T3), and ten days (T4). Hatching performance was evaluated by fertility, the hatchability of fertile eggs, the hatchability of set eggs, and embryonic mortality. Day-old chickens were evaluated by chicken length, chicken weight, hatch yield, pasgar score, and saleable chickens. The present study's findings indicated that egg storage duration up to ten days did not significantly influence the hatchability of fertile eggs or embryonic mortality. However, egg storage duration significantly affected the fertility and hatchability of set eggs. Eggs stored for four and seven days tended to have improved fertility and hatchability. Additionally, hatching eggs stored for ten days had the lowest fertility and hatchability of set eggs. Body weight, body length, hatch yield, and pasgar score of chickens were not significantly different among all treatments. No significant differences among T1, T2, and T3 were observed in saleable chickens. However, T4 had significantly fewer saleable chickens compared to T1, T2, and T3. It can be concluded that the hatching eggs of crossbred chickens can be safely stored for up to seven days without adverse effects on hatching traits. Extended storage beyond this period, specifically up to 10 days, could worsen key hatching performance traits of crossbred chickens.