The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of egg weight, egg storage
period and egg weight loss on hatchability of fertile eggs in the Italian bantam breed Mericanel
della Brianza. Fourteen females and eight males were kept in floor pens and divided in
8 families (1M:1 or 2F) during the reproductive season (March–June). Birds received a photoperiod
of 14L:10D and were fed ad libitum.