Effect on Hatchability of Tilting Instead of Turning Chicken Eggs During Incubation

Six experiments were conducted to examine the feasibility of "tilting" instead of turning chicken eggs during incubation to provide a near constant air flow pattern. At hourly intervals eggs were tilted 45 degrees in opposite directions for consecutive intervals and returned to their original orientation. Eggs were oriented either vertically (large end up), at a 45 degree angle, or horizontally. Comparisons were made in terms of hatchability of fertile eggs, hatchability of transferred eggs, embryonic mortality, and malpositions. Tilting instead of turning depressed hatchability regardless of orientation. Depressions were cumulative and additive, with significant depression for all eggs tilted during the 1st wk of incubation, and diminished effects the 2nd and 3rd wk. Late incubation embryonic mortality was elevated in the tilted groups, and frequency of malpositions increased. Malposition II predominated in the tilted groups oriented 45 degree or horizontally, whereas Malposition III predominated in the controls and in the tilted groups oriented vertically. It was concluded that tilting incubating eggs is not a viable alternative to conventional turning practices.