Effect of Egg Weight and Opacity on Incubation Characteristics in Turkeys

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of egg weight and shell opacity on incubation parameters (fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, hatchability), chick quality traits (hatch weight, length, Tona score), and embryonic mortality in Bronze turkeys. A total of 600 hatching eggs obtained from 40–44-week-old parent stocks were evaluated at the BOZOKTUAM Hatchery of Yozgat Bozok University. Eggs were categorized into two weight groups: light (57.50–79.80 g) and heavy (79.90–116.80 g), and scored for shell opacity as opaque (1) or translucent (2).   Analysis of variance revealed that egg weight, shell opacity, and their interaction had no statistically significant effect on fertility, hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs, chick weight, chick length, Tona score, or embryonic mortality stages. However, the effect of egg weight on weight loss in grams, as well as the weight × opacity interaction on weight loss in both grams and percentage, was statistically significant. The highest percentage of weight loss occurred in the light-translucent egg group (13.9%). In conclusion, egg weight and opacity did not directly affect hatching success or chick quality, but significantly influenced moisture loss dynamics during incubation.