Effects of Short Periods of Incubation During Egg Storage (SPIDES) on Egg Quality, Hatching Performance, and Chick Quality in Long-Term-Stored Chukar Partridge Eggs

Abstract

Simple Summary In many poultry species, storage beyond 7–14 days can reduce egg quality, hatchability, and chick quality. This study examined chukar partridge eggs stored for 35, 42, 49, or 56 days, representing unusually prolonged storage conditions, and evaluated the effects of short periods of incubation during egg storage (SPIDES). Egg quality and hatching performance decreased as storage duration increased, with the negative effects being most evident in chukar partridge eggs after 49 and 56 days. SPIDES had little effect on most egg quality traits, such as Haugh unit, albumen index, and egg component weights, but improved hatchability and chick quality and reduced early embryo deaths at 56 days. These results demonstrate that chukar partridge eggs are resistant to long-term storage conditions and that SPIDES may help mitigate the negative effects of long-term storage in partridge eggs.