Egg Storing
Bird Breeder Resources
The following factors will help to ensure an egg is of best possible quality:
NOTE:- Eggs should be stored with pointed end down.
Temperature
Ideal storage temperature is between 12ºC and 15ºC (50 – 69ºF). Too high a storage temperature and some incubation can commence but at the wrong rate. This will decrease the chances of the embryo developing normally. If storage temperature is below freezing the cell structure of the egg can break down and prevent the embryo developing.
Storage and Handling of Eggs (continued)
• Humidity
The best humidity level at which to store eggs is between 75 to 85% RH to avoid significant drying out of the egg before incubation.
• Time in Storage
Depending on species, it is preferable that eggs should not be kept for more than 7 days prior to incubation.
Between 7 and 14 days hatchability begins to decrease considerably. Vitamins decay and membranes breakdown in time and so the embryo can often suffer early mortality.
• Cleanliness
Cracked, mis-shaped and heavily soiled eggs should be discarded (if possible). Soiled eggs may be cleaned using a brand egg wash solution such as Brinsea Incubation Disinfectant Concentrate following the manufacturers instructions. It is essential to wash eggs in solution that is significantly warmer than the egg so that expansion in the egg causes flow out through the pores rather than dirty water flowing inwards. Bear in mind that all solutions will remove the outer cuticle from the egg as well as the dirt and may leave the egg at greater risk from bacterial contamination in the future.
• Turning During Storage
Eggs should be turned once a day, 45 degrees each way, back and forth through 90º during the storage period.
Insufficient turning can cause the yolk to float and touch membranes near the shell. If the embryo touches then it may stick and prevent growth once inside the incubator.
• Handle Eggs Carefully
Eggs should be handled with care as severe bumping may rupture the yolk membranes, even if the shell remains undamaged. Reasonable care should also be taken during incubation also. A bump can rupture blood vessels causing the chick to bleed to death.
• Collection of Eggs
Generally the best time to collect eggs is before 9am, and to check again at lunchtime. Eggs left in the nest for much longer than 24 hours tend to be poor hatchers.
• Egg Shape, Shell Texture and Quality
Some naturally misshaped eggs have lower than expected hatch rates. Undersize eggs often have a large yolk in proportion to the albumen. Large eggs can sometimes be ‘double yolkers’ which will not hatch. Misshaped eggs usually have faults in the shell.
Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.
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