Provided is a method for the hatching of hatchery eggs including: (a) treating the egg shell surface with a coating composition including a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of the eggs shell and (b) incubating the egg under conditions to cause hatching to occur wherein the yield of hatching of the hatchery eggs is improved as compared to control eggs not treated as defined in (a). Further provided is a composition for the treating of hatchery eggs prior to incubation, where the composition includes a coating agent, and where the composition improves the hatching yield of the hatchery eggs.
