EGG HANDLING
- Optimum hatchability and chick quality can only be achieved when the egg is held under optimum conditions between laying and setting in the incubator.
- If mishandled, hatching potential will quickly deteriorate.
- Remember that a fertile egg contains many living cells. Once the egg is laid, its hatching potential can at best be maintained, not improved.
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-handling-main.jpg)
RELATED CONTENT
Frequent egg collection
Transportation management
Egg cleaning management
Egg grading
Egg storage
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-cleaning-management-1.jpg)
FREQUENT EGG COLLECTION
» Collect eggs at least three times daily.
» When daily high temperatures exceed 85 degrees F. increase egg collection to five times daily.
» Collect two or three times in the morning and one or two times in the afternoon.
» Use of floor eggs depresses hatchability. They should be collected and packed separately from nest eggs, and clearly identified. If they are to be incubated, they should be treated separately.
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-transportation-management-1.jpg)
EGG TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
» The egg carts should be well cushioned and stable while the eggs are being transported.
» A/C van to avoid temperature shocks when the eggs are being transferred outside or inside.
» Low speed should be maintained to reduce damage to germinal disc ( maintain fertility) and shell breakages/cracks.
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-cleaning-management-1.jpg)
EGG CLEANING MANAGEMENT
» Slightly soiled eggs can be used for hatching purposes without causing hatching problems, but dirty eggs should not be saved.
» Do not wash dirty eggs.
» Dirty eggs carry a lot of bacteria on the surface. Although the cuticle protects the egg, an overwhelming number of bacteria can still result in an infection.
Don’t use sand paper for cleaning
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-grading-good-egg.png?w=333)
GOOD EGG
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-grading-bad-eggs.png?w=556)
BAD EGGS
Remove and discard eggs unsuitable for hatching. These are:
» Dirty
» Cracked
» Small (According to Hatchery Policy)
» Very large or double yolk
» Poor shells – but any shell color should be acceptable for hatching Grossly mis-shapen
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-storage-flow-chart.png)
EGG STORAGE : GRADUALLY REDUCTION IN EGG TEMPERATURE IS REQUIRED
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-storage-temperature.jpg)
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-storage-reality-full-1.jpg)
EGG STORAGE : REALITY
Egg grading and cleaning room high temperature
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-storage-reality-full-2.jpg)
Cold room temp. is correct
Sudden drastic change in egg storage temperature reduce hatchability.
![](https://www.g5-hatcherytechniques.co.in/wp-content/uploads/sites/89/2021/08/egg-storage-temperature-table.png)
EGG STORAGE : TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
» Store eggs in a cool-humid storage area.
» Ideal storage conditions include a 55 degree F. temperature and 75% relative humidity.
» Store the eggs with the small end pointed downward.
» Hatchability holds reasonably well up to seven days, but declines rapidly afterward
» After 3 weeks of storage, hatchability drops to almost zero.