Abstract

Chicken production continues to evolve and grow globally, and the consumption of chicken products is surpassing that of other animal products. Embryo mortality, poor hatchability, and poor chick quality remain the biggest challenges in both natural and artificial incubation. This study adopted the narrative review approach to investigate the multifaceted effects of egg handling and incubation management on hatchability, embryonic development, and chick quality in broiler chickens. The review found that different incubators are designed, and a single-stage incubator is more efficient than a multi-stage incubator in terms of hygiene, hatchability, and chick quality. Egg size, flock size, and storage age should be considered to meet the hatchability expected. The position of the egg is critical during egg storage and incubation, and the eggs should be placed with the blunt side up and the sharp end down. Ventilation, temperature, humidity, and turning have a significant effect during the incubation process and should be monitored correctly. Aging flocks and extended egg storage duration negatively impact reproductive performance and subsequent chick quality. Proper management and optimization of storage parameters can mitigate these effects. Effective egg incubation necessitates knowledge of incubator characteristics and operational principles. Egg quality and incubation parameters are critical determinants of chick hatchability and profitability. Effective management of breeder flocks and hatchery practices ensures the successful completion of the incubation process and enhances the production of high-quality day-old chicks.

Key words: Chick vigor; Embryo mortality; Egg size; Egg turning; Setter and hatcher management.