Accelerating embryonic growth during incubation following prolonged egg storage. 1. Embryonic livability

Area of Science:

• Poultry Science
• Embryology
• Animal Reproduction

Background:

• Long-term storage of turkey eggs (15 days) can negatively impact embryonic development, leading to reduced hatchability.
• Shorter storage periods (3 days) are typically associated with better embryonic survival and poult quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if increased incubation temperatures can improve embryonic survival and hatchling quality in long-stored turkey eggs.
• To determine the optimal duration of elevated incubation temperature exposure for compensating delayed embryonic development.

Main Methods:

• A 2x2 factorial experiment was designed with two storage durations (3 vs. 15 days) and two incubation temperature treatments.
• Experiment 1: Elevated temperature (37.8°C) for the first 2 weeks of incubation.
• Experiment 2: Elevated temperature (37.8°C) for the first week of incubation, compared to controls (37.5°C).

Main Results:

• Elevated incubation temperatures for the initial 1 or 2 weeks successfully compensated for the negative effects of 15-day egg storage.
• Improved embryonic livability and hatchability were observed in treatment groups exposed to higher temperatures.
• Tissue analysis confirmed treatment effects on embryonic growth and metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Increased incubation temperatures during the early stages can effectively mitigate the detrimental effects of prolonged egg storage on turkey embryos.
• This strategy enhances embryonic survival and poult quality, offering a practical solution for hatcheries dealing with long-stored eggs.