Effects of broiler breeder age and length of egg storage on albumen characteristics and hatchability.

Two experiments were conducted with the purpose of determining the influence of broiler breeder age and storage time on egg albumen characteristics, embryonic mortality, and hatchability. Eggs from four commercial flocks of the same strain (Peterson x Minibro Shaver), under the same management and nutritional regimen, were incubated after storage at 16 C and 78% relative humidity, for periods of 0 (fresh), 1, 4, or 8 d. Albumen height and albumen pH were recorded immediately prior to each setting in Experiment 1 (eggs collected from 32- and 54-wk-old flocks) and at 0, 12, 24, 38, and 60 h of incubation in Experiment 2 (eggs from 42- and 59-wk-old flocks). Overall, albumen pH was 0.95 higher in eggs stored for 8 d than in fresh eggs, but most of this increase occurred during the first 4 d of storage. At 0 d of storage, pH increased (P < 0.05) with flock age, but age differences were negligible at 8 d of storage. Albumen height decreased with hen age and storage time (P < 0.05). Embryo viability was affected by the storage length by flock age interaction, such that longer periods of storage decreased viability in all flock ages. Decreased viability was pronounced in older flocks, with regression coefficients of viability on days of storage being -0.82 and -1.92% at 32 and 59 wk of age, respectively. The detrimental effects of storage time on viability in older flocks were mostly due to an increased incidence of culls and embryonic losses at all stages. Present results suggest that declines in hatchability with presetting storage start 1 d after lay, possibly due to deterioration in egg albumen quality.