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Hatching Performance of Cryovac Enclosed Hatching Eggs Stored in a High Humidity Environment
RESEARCH NOTES Hatching Performance of Cryovac Enclosed Hatching Eggs Stored in a High Humidity Environment B. S. REINHART and G. I. HURNIK Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University ofGuelph, Guelpb, Ontario, Canada NIG 2W1 (Received for publication July 30, 1980)
1982 Poultry Science 61:564-566
INTRODUCTION
According to a review of the literature by Proudfoot (1969), investigators have reported that hatchability of chicken and turkey eggs stored for more than 2 weeks can be improved by enclosing them in plastic. Hatching eggs Cryovac packed by Becker et al. (1968) showed that the relative humidity within the pack increased up to seven days in storage and thereafter remained constant. Spencer et al. (1968) obtained best results in hatchability for long time storage by placing Cryovac packed eggs in an environment of 95% relative humidity (RH). These views are supported by Kosin and Konishi (1973). They concluded that the high humidity created by storing hatching eggs for an extended time period in Cryovac bags was the primary reason for the beneficial influence on hatchability. Generally, the accepted practice is to Cryovac package hatching eggs for long time storage the day after they are laid. With this in mind, the present study was initiated to note the effect on hatching performance on non-Cryovac and Cryovac packaged eggs at different time intervals after lay stored in a high humidity environment for 3 to 4 weeks prior to incubation.
Leghorn hens. Two hatching trials were conducted. In trial 1, the three treatments were either enclosing hatching eggs held on plastic egg flats in barrier plastic (Cryovac) bags 1 or 4 days after lay or no Cryovac packing. Trial 2 treatments were the same as in trial 1, except Cryovac packing 7 days after lay was substituted for no Cryovac packing. For each trial, 420 hatching eggs were utilized per treatment per hatch, comprising of 60 eggs for each of seven different storage time periods (22 to 28 days inclusive). Three consecutive weekly hatches were conducted per trial. All hatching eggs were stored at 12.8 C and 90 to 92% RH on the same day they were laid and Cryovac packed on the day specified in treatment. Prior to incubation in a Robbins 13-1 setter, eggs were removed from Cryovac storage and slowly brought to room temperature of 23 C to avoid condensation. Records were kept on early (1 to 7 days) and late (8 to 21 days) embryo mortality, as well as chicks hatched from fertile eggs for each experimental unit of 60 eggs (storage time in days/treatment/hatch). Analyses of variance were conducted on the experimental data. Percentage values were transformed to arcsin values prior to statistical analyses (Steel and Torrie, 1960).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The experimental material consisted of hatching eggs produced by 13-month-old White
Hatching results of eggs stored 3 to 4 weeks for different Cryovac treatments are presented
564
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 24, 2015
ABSTRACT Two trials were performed to assess hatching success of enclosing White Leghorn hatching eggs in Cryovac for 3 to 4 weeks in a storage environment in excess of 90% relative humidity. Three treatments in each trial were carried out: trial 1, no Cryovac and Cryovac packing 1 and 4 days after lay; trial 2, Cryovac packing 1, 4, and 7 days after lay. No significant differences were detected for hatching performance between either non-Cryovac packed eggs or the time they were Cryovac packed after lay. As storage time increased from 22 to 28 days, the average hatch of fertile eggs for all treatments in both trials declined linearly (P<.01) from 81.7 to 71.0%. This decline was mainly due to the linear increase (P<.01) in early embryo mortality (1 to 7 days) from 11.0 to 21.0%. (Key words: incubation, hatching performance, egg storage)
13.7 13.2 9.1 13.5 12.1 17.2 22.1 14.4
EEMa
5.1 8.5 7.9 7.3 14.5 5.8 10.0 8.5
LEMb
81.2 78.3 83.0 79.2 73.4 77.0 67.9 77.1
Hatch of fertile
14.0 14.0 11.2 11.5 21.8 11.4 29.0 16.1
EEMa
8.2 10.6 5.7 5.7 8.6 8.8 5.3 7.5
LEMb
Hatch of fertile
77.8 75.4 83.1 82.8 69.6 79.8 66.4 76.4
LEM, late embryo mortality (8 to 21 days),
**P<.01.
8.0 8.6 13.2 14.3 13.0 21.3 17.0 13.6
EEM
Mean values
5.1 11.4 5.1 12.6 13.4 6.3 7.7 8.8
LEM
86.9 80.0 81.7 73.1 73.6 72.4 75.3 77.6
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 1
11.4 10.8 7.4 11.4 14.3 20.4 19.5 13.6
EEM
11.4 7.4 9.7 6.8 11.5 5.1 10.9 9.0
LEM
77.2 81.8 82.9 81.8 74.2 74.5 69.6 77.4
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 4
11.4 9.8 9.7 15.9 14.4 15.7 18.2 13.6
EEM
Mean values
7.9 5.3 11.0 6.8 2.9 9.3 5.7 7.0
LEM
80.7 84.9 79.3 77.3 82.7 75.0 76.1 79.4
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 4
7.6 12.3 11.4 12.2 13.7 18.0 20.3 13.7
EEM
5.8 2.8 6.3 6.9 5.1 5.7 8.7 5.9
LEM
86.6 84.9 82.3 80.9 81.2 76.3 71.0 80.3
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 7
Hatch (H) Treatment (T) Days of storage Linear Quadratic Residual T X D Error
Source of variation
hatching
Hatch (H) T r e a t m e n t (T) Days of storage Linear Quadratic Residual T X D Error
Source of variation
values and analy ses of variance (ANOV) for the effect of storage time, and Cryo>vac treated on embryonic mortality and batch of fertile eggs (Trial 2)
EEM, early embryo mortality (1 to 7 days).
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Mean
(days)
Storage time
Cryovac day 1
TABLE 2. Mean
L E M , late e m b r y o mortality ( 8 t o 21 days).
E E M , early e m b r y o mortality (1 t o 7 days).
**P<01.
b
a
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Mean
(days)
Storage time
No Cryovac
TABLE 1. Mean values and analyses of variance (ANO V) for the effect of storage time and Cryovac treated hatching on embryonic mortality and hatch of fertile eggs (Trial I)
d from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 24, 2015
566
REINHART AND HURNIK
As the storage time was extended from 22 to 28 days, the average percent hatch of fertile eggs for all treatments in both trials declined linearly (P<.01) from 81.7 to 71.0% and early embryo mortality increased linearly (P<.01) from 11.0 to 21.0%. This indicates the increase in early embryonic deaths was the primary cause for the decrease in hatch of fertile eggs as days of storage increased beyond the 3rd week. In trial 1, there was a highly significant storage time effect for late embryo mortality (Table 1) which was not evident in trial 2. This effect was primarily residual variation (P<.01) and probably is associated with the highly significant hatch effect (Table 1). In one of the three
hatches in trial 1, the humidity control on the hatcher malfunctioned, resulting in higher late embryo mortality than for the other two hatches. In the present study, Cryovac packaging of eggs did not improve hatchability over those non-Cryovac enclosed that were stored under high humidity conditions for three to four weeks. Thus, it appears that in a high humidity storage environment, there is no beneficial effect on hatchability by placing eggs in Cryovac bags for extended storage periods. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. REFERENCES Becker, W. A., J. V. Spencer, and J. L. Swartwood, 1968. Carbon dioxide during storage of chicken and turkey hatching eggs. Poultry Sci. 47:251 — 258. Kosin, I. L., and T. Konishi, 1973. Preincubation storage conditions and their effect on the subsequent livability of chicken embryos: Exogenous C 0 2 , plastic bags and extended holding periods as factors. Poultry Sci. 52:296-302. Proudfoot, F. G., 1969. The handling and storage of hatching eggs. Pages 127—141 in The fertility and hatchability of the hen's egg. T. C. Carter and B. M. Freeman, ed. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh. Spencer, J. V., C. A. Pettibone, and W. A. Becker, 1968. Hatchability of eggs stored in carbon dioxide. Poultry Sci. 47:1721. Steel, R.G.D., and J. H. Torrie. 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 24, 2015
in Tables 1 and 2. Percent hatch of fertile eggs for treatment comparisons was not significant for eggs held in preincubation storage at 12.8 C and 90 to 92% RH (Tables 1 and 2). In a storage environment of 70 to 80% RH, Becker et al. (1968) reported a highly significantly greater egg weight loss during an extended storage period for unpackaged as opposed to Cryovac packed eggs. Egg weight loss in the present study was minimal for all storage treatments, averaging .1 to .2 g per egg, indicating that percent RH within the Cryovac bags was similar to that of the storage room environment. Kosin and Konishi (1973) stated that high humidity has a beneficial influence on hatchability of eggs stored for an extended period. As noted by nonsignificance of treatment comparisons, this effect can be accomplished by increasing the storage room humidity without packing the eggs in Cryovac bags.
1982 Poultry Science 61:564-566
INTRODUCTION
According to a review of the literature by Proudfoot (1969), investigators have reported that hatchability of chicken and turkey eggs stored for more than 2 weeks can be improved by enclosing them in plastic. Hatching eggs Cryovac packed by Becker et al. (1968) showed that the relative humidity within the pack increased up to seven days in storage and thereafter remained constant. Spencer et al. (1968) obtained best results in hatchability for long time storage by placing Cryovac packed eggs in an environment of 95% relative humidity (RH). These views are supported by Kosin and Konishi (1973). They concluded that the high humidity created by storing hatching eggs for an extended time period in Cryovac bags was the primary reason for the beneficial influence on hatchability. Generally, the accepted practice is to Cryovac package hatching eggs for long time storage the day after they are laid. With this in mind, the present study was initiated to note the effect on hatching performance on non-Cryovac and Cryovac packaged eggs at different time intervals after lay stored in a high humidity environment for 3 to 4 weeks prior to incubation.
Leghorn hens. Two hatching trials were conducted. In trial 1, the three treatments were either enclosing hatching eggs held on plastic egg flats in barrier plastic (Cryovac) bags 1 or 4 days after lay or no Cryovac packing. Trial 2 treatments were the same as in trial 1, except Cryovac packing 7 days after lay was substituted for no Cryovac packing. For each trial, 420 hatching eggs were utilized per treatment per hatch, comprising of 60 eggs for each of seven different storage time periods (22 to 28 days inclusive). Three consecutive weekly hatches were conducted per trial. All hatching eggs were stored at 12.8 C and 90 to 92% RH on the same day they were laid and Cryovac packed on the day specified in treatment. Prior to incubation in a Robbins 13-1 setter, eggs were removed from Cryovac storage and slowly brought to room temperature of 23 C to avoid condensation. Records were kept on early (1 to 7 days) and late (8 to 21 days) embryo mortality, as well as chicks hatched from fertile eggs for each experimental unit of 60 eggs (storage time in days/treatment/hatch). Analyses of variance were conducted on the experimental data. Percentage values were transformed to arcsin values prior to statistical analyses (Steel and Torrie, 1960).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The experimental material consisted of hatching eggs produced by 13-month-old White
Hatching results of eggs stored 3 to 4 weeks for different Cryovac treatments are presented
564
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 24, 2015
ABSTRACT Two trials were performed to assess hatching success of enclosing White Leghorn hatching eggs in Cryovac for 3 to 4 weeks in a storage environment in excess of 90% relative humidity. Three treatments in each trial were carried out: trial 1, no Cryovac and Cryovac packing 1 and 4 days after lay; trial 2, Cryovac packing 1, 4, and 7 days after lay. No significant differences were detected for hatching performance between either non-Cryovac packed eggs or the time they were Cryovac packed after lay. As storage time increased from 22 to 28 days, the average hatch of fertile eggs for all treatments in both trials declined linearly (P<.01) from 81.7 to 71.0%. This decline was mainly due to the linear increase (P<.01) in early embryo mortality (1 to 7 days) from 11.0 to 21.0%. (Key words: incubation, hatching performance, egg storage)
13.7 13.2 9.1 13.5 12.1 17.2 22.1 14.4
EEMa
5.1 8.5 7.9 7.3 14.5 5.8 10.0 8.5
LEMb
81.2 78.3 83.0 79.2 73.4 77.0 67.9 77.1
Hatch of fertile
14.0 14.0 11.2 11.5 21.8 11.4 29.0 16.1
EEMa
8.2 10.6 5.7 5.7 8.6 8.8 5.3 7.5
LEMb
Hatch of fertile
77.8 75.4 83.1 82.8 69.6 79.8 66.4 76.4
LEM, late embryo mortality (8 to 21 days),
**P<.01.
8.0 8.6 13.2 14.3 13.0 21.3 17.0 13.6
EEM
Mean values
5.1 11.4 5.1 12.6 13.4 6.3 7.7 8.8
LEM
86.9 80.0 81.7 73.1 73.6 72.4 75.3 77.6
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 1
11.4 10.8 7.4 11.4 14.3 20.4 19.5 13.6
EEM
11.4 7.4 9.7 6.8 11.5 5.1 10.9 9.0
LEM
77.2 81.8 82.9 81.8 74.2 74.5 69.6 77.4
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 4
11.4 9.8 9.7 15.9 14.4 15.7 18.2 13.6
EEM
Mean values
7.9 5.3 11.0 6.8 2.9 9.3 5.7 7.0
LEM
80.7 84.9 79.3 77.3 82.7 75.0 76.1 79.4
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 4
7.6 12.3 11.4 12.2 13.7 18.0 20.3 13.7
EEM
5.8 2.8 6.3 6.9 5.1 5.7 8.7 5.9
LEM
86.6 84.9 82.3 80.9 81.2 76.3 71.0 80.3
Hatch of fertile
Cryovac day 7
Hatch (H) Treatment (T) Days of storage Linear Quadratic Residual T X D Error
Source of variation
hatching
Hatch (H) T r e a t m e n t (T) Days of storage Linear Quadratic Residual T X D Error
Source of variation
values and analy ses of variance (ANOV) for the effect of storage time, and Cryo>vac treated on embryonic mortality and batch of fertile eggs (Trial 2)
EEM, early embryo mortality (1 to 7 days).
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Mean
(days)
Storage time
Cryovac day 1
TABLE 2. Mean
L E M , late e m b r y o mortality ( 8 t o 21 days).
E E M , early e m b r y o mortality (1 t o 7 days).
**P<01.
b
a
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Mean
(days)
Storage time
No Cryovac
TABLE 1. Mean values and analyses of variance (ANO V) for the effect of storage time and Cryovac treated hatching on embryonic mortality and hatch of fertile eggs (Trial I)
d from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 24, 2015
566
REINHART AND HURNIK
As the storage time was extended from 22 to 28 days, the average percent hatch of fertile eggs for all treatments in both trials declined linearly (P<.01) from 81.7 to 71.0% and early embryo mortality increased linearly (P<.01) from 11.0 to 21.0%. This indicates the increase in early embryonic deaths was the primary cause for the decrease in hatch of fertile eggs as days of storage increased beyond the 3rd week. In trial 1, there was a highly significant storage time effect for late embryo mortality (Table 1) which was not evident in trial 2. This effect was primarily residual variation (P<.01) and probably is associated with the highly significant hatch effect (Table 1). In one of the three
hatches in trial 1, the humidity control on the hatcher malfunctioned, resulting in higher late embryo mortality than for the other two hatches. In the present study, Cryovac packaging of eggs did not improve hatchability over those non-Cryovac enclosed that were stored under high humidity conditions for three to four weeks. Thus, it appears that in a high humidity storage environment, there is no beneficial effect on hatchability by placing eggs in Cryovac bags for extended storage periods. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. REFERENCES Becker, W. A., J. V. Spencer, and J. L. Swartwood, 1968. Carbon dioxide during storage of chicken and turkey hatching eggs. Poultry Sci. 47:251 — 258. Kosin, I. L., and T. Konishi, 1973. Preincubation storage conditions and their effect on the subsequent livability of chicken embryos: Exogenous C 0 2 , plastic bags and extended holding periods as factors. Poultry Sci. 52:296-302. Proudfoot, F. G., 1969. The handling and storage of hatching eggs. Pages 127—141 in The fertility and hatchability of the hen's egg. T. C. Carter and B. M. Freeman, ed. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh. Spencer, J. V., C. A. Pettibone, and W. A. Becker, 1968. Hatchability of eggs stored in carbon dioxide. Poultry Sci. 47:1721. Steel, R.G.D., and J. H. Torrie. 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at New York University on May 24, 2015
in Tables 1 and 2. Percent hatch of fertile eggs for treatment comparisons was not significant for eggs held in preincubation storage at 12.8 C and 90 to 92% RH (Tables 1 and 2). In a storage environment of 70 to 80% RH, Becker et al. (1968) reported a highly significantly greater egg weight loss during an extended storage period for unpackaged as opposed to Cryovac packed eggs. Egg weight loss in the present study was minimal for all storage treatments, averaging .1 to .2 g per egg, indicating that percent RH within the Cryovac bags was similar to that of the storage room environment. Kosin and Konishi (1973) stated that high humidity has a beneficial influence on hatchability of eggs stored for an extended period. As noted by nonsignificance of treatment comparisons, this effect can be accomplished by increasing the storage room humidity without packing the eggs in Cryovac bags.