Abstract

Hatchability of Cobb 500 and Hubbard broiler strain eggs subjected to different levels of egg storage temperature and fumigation was studied at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia. The different egg storage temperature levels employed were 10, 16 and 23°C and fumigation levels employed were fumigated and unfumigated. Fertility and hatchability were tested during the experimental period. Fertility is not dependent on egg storage treatments employed. Egg storage temperature at 16°C and fumigation significantly (P<0.001) improved hatchability in both Cobb 500 and Hubbard broiler strains. Cobb 500 broilers had high mean percentage hatchability than Hubbard, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). Egg storage temperature at 23°C resulted in slightly lower mean percentage hatchability than storage at 10°C, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). From the result of the current experiment, it was concluded that fumigation and medium egg storage temperature, 16°C is important for better hatching yield.

Key words: Hatchability, Cobb 500, Hubbard, broiler, strain, temperature, fumigation.

Abbreviation

ANOVA, Analysis of variance; AOAC, Association of Official Analytical; ATVET, Agricultural Technical Vocational; B, breed; CRD, completely randomized design; CSA, Central Statistical Authority; CV, coefficient of variation; DZARC, Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center; EARO, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization; F, fumigation; FAO, Food and Agricultural Organization; Fr, fertility; GLM, general linear model; HFE, hatchability on fertile eggs; HSE, hatchability on set eggs; LSD, least significant difference; MOA, Ministry of Agriculture; MoARD, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; PBMC, Poultry Breeding and Multiplication Centers; SAS, Statistical Analytical System; SPSS, Statistical Program for Social Sciences.