The quality of hatching eggs has a major impact on the success of an incubation program. Even with a high-quality incubator, poor egg collection, handling, or storage can reduce hatchability. Proper handling from the time an egg is collected until it is placed in the incubator helps maintain embryo viability and improves overall hatching performance.
1. Collect Hatching Eggs Regularly
Hatching eggs should ideally be collected at least once or twice a day, and more frequently during very hot or cold weather. Regular collection helps reduce the chances of eggs becoming dirty, cracked, overheated, chilled, or contaminated.
Always handle eggs carefully and avoid dropping or knocking them against hard surfaces.
2. Select Good-Quality Eggs
Before storing eggs for incubation, inspect them carefully. Select eggs that:
- Have a normal shape and size
- Have a clean and intact shell
- Are free from cracks and hairline fractures
- Do not have excessive dirt or contamination
- Come from healthy breeding birds
Very small, oversized, severely misshapen, or damaged eggs should generally be avoided for incubation.
3. Keep Eggs Clean
Clean eggs are important for successful incubation because bacteria on the shell can potentially enter through the pores and contaminate the developing embryo.
Avoid washing hatching eggs unnecessarily. Washing can remove the egg's natural protective coating, known as the bloom or cuticle. If cleaning is necessary, use an appropriate egg-cleaning procedure and avoid aggressive scrubbing.
4. Store Eggs With the Small End Down
Place hatching eggs in egg trays with the small end pointing downward and the larger end upward. This helps keep the air cell in the correct position.
During storage, eggs can also be gently tilted or turned periodically to reduce the risk of the contents sticking to the shell membrane.
5. Maintain Suitable Storage Conditions
Hatching eggs should be stored in a cool, stable environment away from direct sunlight and large temperature fluctuations.
For chicken hatching eggs, a storage temperature around 15–18°C (59–64°F) is commonly suitable for short-term storage. Humidity should also be controlled to limit excessive moisture loss.
Avoid freezing the eggs or storing them in a conventional household refrigerator at very low temperatures.
6. Avoid Long Storage Periods
The longer fertile eggs are stored, the greater the potential reduction in hatchability. Whenever possible, set eggs in the incubator as soon as practical, preferably within about a week of collection.
If eggs must be stored for longer, maintaining proper temperature, humidity, positioning, and regular turning becomes even more important.
7. Bring Eggs to Incubation Temperature Gradually
Before placing stored eggs into the incubator, allow them to gradually come toward the appropriate room temperature. This helps prevent sudden temperature changes and condensation on the shell.
Do not place very cold eggs directly into a warm incubator.
8. Keep Hatching Eggs Separate
Store hatching eggs in a clean area separate from the hatchery, dirty eggs, and other sources of contamination. Good hygiene throughout the egg-handling process helps reduce bacterial contamination and supports better hatch results.
Conclusion
Successful incubation starts well before eggs enter the incubator. Proper collection, selection, cleaning, storage, temperature control, and handling of fertile eggs can make a significant difference in hatchability. By following good egg-storage practices and using a properly managed incubation system, poultry producers can achieve more consistent and reliable hatching results.