Conteúdo disponível em: Español (Spanish)
Classifying hatching eggs allows us to identify possible problems or inefficiencies that occur in breeder farms. Additionally, hatchery performance results depend largely on the quality of the hatching eggs they receive, thus this classification concept also helps us to improve incubation results.
Percent of hatching eggs
The most frequent way to carry out the classification of breeder eggs is the percentage of hatching eggs with respect to the total number of eggs, with the first step establishing their correct use, and the indicators of which depend on:
- Equipment
- Breeder farm management conditions
- Genetic lineage
- Double yolked
- Misshaped
- Broken
- Very dirty
- Small eggs
Double yolk eggs
Double yolk eggs can cause significant economic losses because chicks do not survive the incubation process. Double eggs in broiler breeder flocks are considered normal but always within limits.
- It is considered normal not to exceed 3.5% of double yolk eggs in weeks near the peak of lay.
- Once the maximum peak of double yolk eggs has been reached, the percentage should gradually decrease and then stabilize at values below 0.2% from 37 weeks of life.
- Under normal conditions, 6 or 7 yellow follicles of increasing size can be observed.
- Each larger follicle sends hormonal signals to smaller follicles to prevent their development.
Factors that promote double yolk eggs
- Excess protein from the last weeks of rearing until the appearance of the first egg.
- Strong feed rises – normally greater than 4 grams / week – from photostimulation to start of lay.
- Very aggressive light programs applied to overweight flocks at the time of being photo-stimulated.
Misshaped eggs
When classifying misshaped eggs, we include round and elongated eggs, those that are flattened from one side and grooved and rough shells. It is very difficult to obtain viable chicks from suchs eggs, mainly because:
- The air chamber is badly positioned for correct breathing
- The space for the embryo to develop is insufficient.
The percentage of deformed eggs increases from start to peak of lay, with a maximum of 0.8%. From the laying peak, the number of deformed eggs is less than 0.2%. The variability regarding the percentage of deformed eggs, in many cases, is not related to the environmental, management or nutritional conditions of the birds, but rather depends on the criteria of the person collecting the eggs.
Keep up to date with our newsletters
Receive the magazine for free in digital version
REGISTRATION
ACCESS
YOUR ACCOUNT
LOGIN
Lost your password?