hatchability

Hatchability is a measure used in animal reproduction and incubation to describe the proportion of fertilized eggs that successfully hatch into viable offspring within a defined incubation period. In avian production, hatchability is a key indicator of reproductive performance, incubation management, and overall flock health. Hatchability can be reported in two forms: fertilized-egg hatchability, which uses the number of fertilized eggs as the denominator, and hatchability of set eggs, which uses the total number of eggs set for incubation as the denominator.

Hatchability is typically calculated as follows: hatchability of fertilized eggs = number of chicks hatched divided by number of fertilized eggs; hatchability of set eggs = number of chicks hatched divided by the number of eggs set. These metrics help separate issues related to fertilization from those related to incubation and hatchery management.

Several factors influence hatchability. Egg quality and breeder age strongly affect fertilization rates and embryo viability. Egg handling before incubation, including cleaning, storage duration, and temperature, matters because pre-incubation restlessness and embryo development can reduce hatchability. Incubation conditions are critical: temperature, humidity, ventilation, and turning frequency influence embryo development and mortality at different stages. Species and strain differences exist, with poultry (chickens, turkeys) typically having well-established hatchery targets, while other birds or reptiles may vary. Genetic health, disease status, and nutrition of breeders also play important roles.

Improving hatchability involves careful management of breeders, optimal egg handling and storage, precise incubation parameters, regular equipment calibration, and monitoring of hatchery workflows. The metric supports benchmarking and economic planning in breeding programs and commercial hatcheries.