Impact of Eggs Storage Time and Duration of Fumigation on Hatchability, Embryonic Mortality and Characteristics of Day Old Chicks

This study aimed to investigate the effects of egg storage time and fumigation duration on chick quality, hatchability, and breakout analysis in broilers. A total of 600 eggs from each storage time (24 and 48 h) were divided into three fumigation groups (15, 20, and 25 min), with each group further split into four replicates of 50 eggs, resulting in six experimental groups: S24F15, S24F20, S24F25, S48F15, S48F20, and S48F25. The results indicated that egg storage times of 24 or 48 h and fumigation durations of 15, 20, and 25 min did not significantly affect most chick quality parameters, including egg weight, A-grade chicks, B-grade chicks, contamination, and water loss (P>0.05). However, chick weight was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the F15 group (44.4±0.73g) compared to the F20 (43.3±0.47g) and F25 (43.2±0.58g) groups. Similarly, chick yield was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the F15 group (68.8±0.62%) than in the F20 (67.9±0.33%) and F25 (67.5±0.39%) groups. Interaction effects showed significantly higher chick weight (44.8±0.68g) and chick yield (69.3±0.38%) in the S48F15 group compared to other groups. The breakout analysis revealed no significant effect (P>0.05) of egg storage time or fumigation duration on dead chicks at different weeks, dry chicks, contaminated chicks, and total unhatched eggs. Similarly, hatchability and the percentage of hatch of fertile eggs were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by egg storage time or fumigation duration, nor by their interaction. In conclusion, while most parameters remained unaffected, a fumigation duration of 15 min, especially with 48 h of egg storage, resulted in higher chick weight and yield, suggesting potential benefits for broiler production efficiency.