Effect of sex ratio and different egg storage duration on fertility, hatchability, and normality of Kedu chicken eggs

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of the Kedu chicken sex ratio and egg storage duration on fertility, hatchability, and normality of day-old chicks (DOC). Using 288 eggs from 12 hens and 6 roosters, researchers tested three SR groups (SR1=1:3, SR2=1:4, SR3=1:5) and two SD groups (SD1=3 days, SD2=7 days). Data were analyzed using one-way classification and N-way classification with the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software package Ver 6.12. The results showed that that with 3-day storage, SR2 had the highest fertility (89.58%), followed by SR1 (77.08%) and SR3 (72.91%). For 7-day storage, fertility was similar across SR groups (72.91%, 72.91%, and 70.83% respectively). Hatchability peaked at 82.18% (SR3) for 3-day storage and 81.11% (SR2) for 7-day storage. DOC normality was highest in SR1 (97.62%) and SR3 (97.22%) with 3-day storage, and in SD1 (88.69%) with 7-day storage. Analysis of variance showed that storage duration and sex ratio had no significant effect (P>0.05) on fertility, hatchability, or DOC normality. The conclusion of this study is that the optimal sex ratio can be achieved using SR3 (1:5), and the most efficient storage period can be achieved using LP1 (3 days).