The Use of Sealed Cryovac and Polyethylene Case Liners With and Without Nitrogen Gas for the Preservation of Hatching Eggs

RECENT reports by Becker, Spencer and Smartwood (1963), Becker (1964), Proudfoot (1964a, b, 1965) provide evidence that plastic packaging has a beneficial effect on the hatchability of eggs stored prior to setting in incubators. Proudfoot (1964, 1965) and Gowe (1965) also reported that hatchability levels were enhanced when hatching eggs enclosed in plastic bags were flushed with nitrogen gas. These earlier experiments were conducted using relatively small types of plastic bags. Palmer and Skoglund (1964) reported that the quality of table eggs packed within a sealed plastic case liner was superior to eggs held in standard cases. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of the following packing methods on the hatchability of chicken eggs stored in cardboard cases for varying periods of time: (1) Comparison of standard unlined cases with plastic lined cases. (2) Inside plastic liners compared with outside enclosures. (3) Comparison of polyethylene liners of …