Effects of Sub-Freezing Temperature Exposure on the Chicken Embryo

THE effects of various combinations of time and temperature during storage on the hatchability of the chickens’ egg have been reported by Mauro (1922), Dougherty (1926), Mussehl and Bancroft (1924–1925), Kaufman (1934), Funk (1947), Olsen and Haynes (1948), Phillips (1945) and Olson (1950). These reports for the most part deal with the unincubated egg and its exposure to various temperatures for periods up to eight days. The rather uniform conclusions reached in all these investigations suggest that the time-temperature relationship was an important concern. Eggs which were held at higher temperatures could withstand longer periods of exposure, while those held at the lower temperature ranges had less ability to hatch. Eggs held at temperatures of less than 40°F. were in all cases reported to be least able to withstand extended periods of exposure. However, Jull, McCartney and El-Ibiary (1948) could find no serious impairment of hatchability when an internal …