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Title: Effects of treating broiler breeder hatching eggs with removable coatings at four storage times on hatchability performance

Author
item SANTOS, J - University Of Georgia
item MAULDIN, J - University Of Georgia
item Buhr, Richard - Jeff
item Jones, Deana
item AGGREY, S - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2010
Publication Date: 1/24/2011
Citation: Santos, J., Mauldin, J., Buhr, R.J., Jones, D.R., Aggrey, S. 2011. Effects of treating broiler breeder hatching eggs with removable coatings at four storage times on hatchability performance [abstract]. Meeting Abstract. 140P, P.41 (ABST).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: After treating hatching eggs with various removable coatings several formulations exhibited better hatchability than non-coated controls when eggs were stored for 1 or 21 d. The current study was designed to determine the interaction of 3 formulas with 4 storage times that approximate conditions frequently seen in the poultry industry. The 4 egg coating groups were formulas 1 and 2, formula 2 sanitized, and untreated controls and the 4 storage times (1 d, 1 wk, 2 wk, and 3 wk) in a 4 X 4 factorial experimental design. Eggs were collected from a commercial broiler breeder farm beginning at 38 wk of age that had exceptional fertility and hatchability for several weeks. Eggs were stored overnight and coated the next morning. Coatings were applied by heating the formulas to 35C and spray-coating eggs in a modified commercial hatching egg-sanitizing machine. Coating removal involved passing eggs through the egg sanitation machine with heated water spray (46 to 49C). After drying, eggs were placed in incubation. Evaluation of hatchability performance was measured by percentages for hatchability of fertiles (HOF %). The 1 d and 1 wk storage times had the best HOF percentages (93%) and were not significantly different. The 2 wk storage time values for HOF dropped significantly to 88% with another significant drop observed for 3 wk storage time, 72% HOF. Coating treatments also exhibited significant differences in HOF. The untreated control group had the lowest HOF, 83% and was significantly different from Formula 2 sanitized at 88%. Formulas 1 and 2 had intermediate (87%) and non significant values between Control and Formula 2 sanitized. Previous experimentation with egg coating and storage time revealed that differences in hatchability performance were greater in moderately performing flocks than in high performance flocks. Coating formulas appear to offer beneficial effects in maintaining hatchability to parts of the broiler industry where storage time is an issue.