Morphological characteristics of hatching eggs and hatching dynamics in Prelux-Č and Prelux-G laying hybrids and their relationship with chick sexTerčič, Dušan (Avtor) Rohan, Pina (Avtor) poultrychickengenotypeegg morphologyegg storagehatch windowchick sexThis study examined the morphological characteristics of hatching eggs from two Slovenian layer hybrids, Prelux-Č and Prelux-G, and investigated their relationship with hatch window and chick sex. The results showed significant (p≤ 0.05) genotype-specific differences in egg morphology, hatching time and chick weight at hatch. Compared to Prelux-G eggs, Prelux-Č eggs were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) narrower, lighter and had paler shell pigmentation. Chicks from Prelux-Č eggs hatched earlier and had a significantly (p≤ 0.05) lower body weight than chicks from Prelux-G eggs. The hatch window of the Prelux-G hybrids was 56 hours, while that of the Prelux-Č hybrids was 64 hours. In the Prelux-Č hybrids, the pullets hatched earlier than the cockerels, while no significant sex-specific differences in hatching time were observed in the Prelux-G hybrids. The duration of egg storage prior to incubation also influenced hatch timing, with chicks from eggs stored for seven days hatching later than chicks from eggs stored for two days; however, this difference was only statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) in the Prelux-Č. The statistical analysis showed no significant correlation (p> 0.05) between the external egg characteristics and the sex of the chicks, indicating the limited predictive value of egg morphology for sex determination.20252025-10-21 13:30:52Članek v reviji175206sl