Effect of storage period and ultraviolet light treatment in egg quality and percentage of hatchability in broiler breeders hens

The aim of this study was to identify the effect of storage period and ultraviolet light treatment on egg quality and percentage of hatchability of eggs from broiler breeders hens. Four hundred eggs of broiler breeder hens (Rose) were used to study the effect of storage time and ultraviolet light treatment on hatchability, albumin height, albumin pH, yolk height, yolk pH, yolk diameter, yolk index, air sac size, shell thickness, average egg weight, average weight of broiler, hatchability percentage and embryo mortality. Eight experimental treatments were used: (1) without storage, (2) without storage and ultraviolet light treatment, (3) Storage for 5 days, (4) Storage for 5 days and ultraviolet light treatment, (5) Storage for 7 days, (6) Storage for 7 days and ultraviolet light treatment, (7) Storage for 10 days, (8) Storage for 10 days and ultraviolet light treatment. Storage temperature of eggs were 13±2ºC with relative humidity 70-75%. The time of ultraviolet light exposure 4 minutes. No significant difference appeared in average egg weight and shell thickness. The storage of eggs resulted in significant decrease in albumen height, yolk height, yolk index and yolk pH, average weight of broilers and hatchability percentage and significant increase in albumin pH, yolk diameter, air sac size and embryo mortality. Ultra violet light treatment caused a significant improvement in hatchability percentage and embryo mortality when eggs were stored for 10 days.