In birds, embryonic development begins before laying. The embryonic development variability at the time of egg laying is known and influences hatching rate, since very early or advanced stages are detrimental for embryos because they become more sensitive to stress storage. The heating of fertile eggs in the period between posture and storage has been studied as a way to reduce the negative effects of storage on hatchability since it allows embryos to progress to a stage where they are more able to survive during storage. This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of artificial heating of fertile broiler breeder eggs in the period between the collection and storage on hatchability and chick weight at birth. For this, 5760 eggs from Cobb(r) broiler breeders, 57 weeks old, were used. The experimental design was completely randomized. It consisted of four defined treatments based on the heating time of eggs (zero, three, six and nine hours). Heating was done in a fumigation chamber at 30°C, and eggs were stored for three days. The artificial heating in the period between collection and storage didn't affect hatchability, embryo mortality and chick weight at birth, being, in this case, an unjustified practice.
birds; embryonic development; hatchability; prestorage