EGG quality influence on incubation results and their phenotype correlation

Abstract

This study presents research results of quality and incubation values for Isa Brown hybrid eggs. Eggs were produced in the 33rd week of age at the production peak. Research was conducted on the sample of 252 incubation eggs (240 fertilized eggs). Chick hatchability compared to the number of inserted eggs was 86.51%, and compared to the number of fertilized eggs 90.83%. Average values for quality parameters of brooding eggs and incubation results were as follows: egg weight before insertion 58.41 g, egg length 5.49 cm, egg width 4.29 cm, egg shape index 78.16% and egg volume 53.14 cm3, one day old chick weight was 39.15 g, absolute egg weight loss was 6.60 g, relative egg weight loss was 11.31% and relative chick share in the egg weight was 67,03%. Statistically justified (P<0.001; P<0.01; P<0.05) correlation (complete one) was determined between egg weight and egg width (0.908), egg weight and egg volume (0.923) and egg weight and chick weight (0.918), very strong correlation was determined between egg weight and egg length (0.870), strong correlation was determined between egg weight and absolute egg weight loss (0.690), weak correlation was determined between egg shape index and egg width (0.395), and very weak correlation was determined between egg weight and egg shape index (0.188), egg weight and relative egg weight loss (-0.166), egg shape index and egg length (-0.147) and egg shape index and chick weight (0.189). Between egg weight and relative chick share in the egg weight, egg shape index and absolute egg weight loss, egg shape index and relative chick share in the egg weight no statistically justified (P>0.05) correlation was determined.