Chicken Egg Hatching and Fertility Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the average duration of fertility from a single mating?

7 to 10 days

10 to 14 days (correct)

14 to 20 days

5 to 7 days

How many fertile eggs can a single mating produce?

14 fertile eggs (correct)

10 fertile eggs

20 fertile eggs

7 fertile eggs

What is the formula to calculate fertility percentage?

Fertility % = (Total eggs / No of fertile eggs) * 100

Fertility % = (No of fertile eggs / Total eggs laid) * 100 (correct)

Fertility % = (Total eggs laid / No of fertile eggs) * 100

Fertility % = (No of eggs fertilized / Total eggs) * 100

At what age should breeder flocks be to maintain high fertility levels?

40 to 50 weeks Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended storage temperature for eggs?

13-18°C Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided to maintain hatching egg quality?

Floor eggs Signup and view all the answers

How should eggs be positioned during storage?

Small end pointed downward Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of hatchability holds reasonably well up to how many days?

Seven days Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended weight loss percentage for eggs during incubation for optimal development?

12.6% Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT impactful in controlling humidity levels inside incubators?

Type of eggs incubated Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of oxygen is typically present in the air inside incubators?

21% Signup and view all the answers

The fertility percentage (F) is calculated using which formula?

F% = (number of fertile / Total number of incubated eggs) * 100 Signup and view all the answers

What role does the allantois play in the embryo's development during incubation?

It becomes the primary respiratory organ. Signup and view all the answers

During candling, which of the following is evaluated in eggs?

Air cell growth Signup and view all the answers

Why is egg turning essential in incubators?

It prevents embryos from sticking to the shell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the commercial hatchability percentage (H) calculated from?

H% = (number of hatched chicks / Total number of incubated eggs) * 100 Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal temperature and humidity during the incubation period?

38°C with 60-65% humidity Signup and view all the answers

At what humidity level should the incubation be maintained during the hatching stage?

70-75% Signup and view all the answers

What is true about forced air incubators compared to still air incubators?

They circulate air for even temperature. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT part of a typical egg incubator structure?

Cooling unit Signup and view all the answers

Which zone indicates a temperature that may cause cold injury to the eggs?

-2.0°C Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of maintaining correct humidity during incubation?

It increases calcium metabolism and favor growth. Signup and view all the answers

Which device is better for accurately measuring humidity in incubators?

Held digital hygrometers Signup and view all the answers

Which function does the turning unit of the incubator perform?

Rotates the eggs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Incubation and Hatching

Images depict the life cycle of a chicken egg, from laying to hatching.
A circular graphic illustrates the stages of egg development.

Fertility and Fertile Eggs

Fertility requires maturity, vitality, and comfort.
The average fertility duration from a single mating is 10 to 14 days.
A single copulation can produce up to 14 fertile eggs.
Sperm storage tubules (SST) are located in the utero-vaginal junction.
Fertilized and unfertilized eggs are the same.
Fertility percentage is calculated as (Number of fertile eggs/Total eggs laid) * 100.

Factors Influencing Egg Fertility and Hatchability

Breeder factors affecting hatchability involve strain, health, nutrition, age of the flock, egg size/weight/quality, and storage duration/conditions.

Maintaining High Fertility Level

To maximize fertility, breeder flocks are maintained at 40 to 50 weeks of age, paired with 30-35-week-old roosters.

Maintaining Hatching Egg Quality

Nest boxes should be available for hens to lay in.
Avoid floor eggs.
Ensuring adequate nesting material is key.
Maintaining adequate ventilation and keeping material dry is important.
Block off pen corners to encourage nesting.
Ensure sufficient nests and manage broody hens.

Egg Storage

Store eggs in cool-humid areas.
Optimal storage temperatures are 13-18°C and 75% relative humidity.
Store eggs with the small end down.
Turn eggs regularly (at least once per day) if not incubating within 4-6 days.
Do not store eggs more than 7 days before incubating. Hatchability drops to near zero after 3 weeks of storage.
Warm eggs slowly to room temperature prior to incubation.
Avoid rapid temperature fluctuations.

Egg Sanitation

Disinfect fertile eggs immediately after collection.
The contamination percentage of hatching eggs should not exceed 0.5% per hatch.
Use quality litter and good litter management to reduce dirty eggs.

Egg Collection

Collect eggs at least three times daily—adjust to five times during high temperatures (over 29°C).
Collect eggs twice or thrice in the morning and once or twice in the afternoon.
Slightly soiled eggs are ok for hatching. Do not use or wash dirty eggs.

Turning During Storage

Turn eggs regularly during storage; once daily, back and forth by 45 degrees. This is less frequent than during incubation.

Egg Candling

Egg candling technique is mentioned as a way to assess eggs for viability.

Incubator Types

Still Air Incubator: Air stratification makes maintaining consistent temperature and humidity difficult. Ventilation is through natural means.
Forced Air Incubator: Air circulation throughout provides more consistent temperature. These incubators are often more efficient, particularly for large-volume hatcheries.
Features of incubators include: inlet and outlet openings, turning unit, fan, controller, wet and dry bulb thermometer, insulated body, and water reservoir.

Incubator Structure

Incubator structure is characterized by egg trays, egg turning system, egg holders and hatchers, humidity system, and an adjusting vent.

Requirements of Incubation

Critical factors for successful hatching include temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, and regular egg turning.

Incubation Temperature Zones

Different incubation temperature ranges correspond to specific stages of chick development, indicating ideal temperature range.

Incubator Humidity

Humidity should be 60-65% for the first 18 days of incubation and 70-75% during the last 3 days.
Fresh eggs before incubation should have air bubbles and humidity should be correct.
Insufficient humidity may result in embryo death or other developmental problems.

Humidity Measurement Devices

Digital hygrometers are not very precise while hand-held digital hygrometers, built-in digital hygrometers, and wet bulb thermometers are relatively better methods. The wet bulb thermometer is inexpensive and precise for measuring relative humidity.

Humidity Control Factors

Humidity control inside incubators is affected by the water tray size, fresh air amount, air cell growth, and weight loss during incubation.

Ventilation

Ventilation keeps oxygen levels adequate during chick development, typically 21%. Carbon dioxide levels should be around 0.05%.
The allantois is the primary respiratory organ in developing embryos until just before pipping.

Incubation Period

Incubation periods vary depending on the bird species.

Hatchery Estimates

Fertility percentage (F%) calculation is based on the ratio of fertile eggs/total incubated eggs.
Commercial hatchability (CH%) is based on hatched chicks/total incubated eggs.
Scientific hatchability (SH%) is based on hatched chicks/total fertile eggs.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the life cycle of chicken eggs, from incubation to hatching. This quiz covers essential aspects of egg fertility, the factors influencing hatchability, and how to maintain high-quality hatching eggs. Ideal for students and poultry enthusiasts alike!