THE INFLUENCE OF EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS ON OSTRICH ( STRUTIO CAMELUS ) INCUBATION RESULTS DURING FIRST LAYING PERIOD

Reproduction results of African ostriches (Strutio camelus) under breeding conditions are worse than of other fowl species. Therefore, it is important to search for possibilities of their improvement, among others by evaluation of ostrich eggs incubation results’ dependence on physical characteristics of the hatching eggs. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of eggs’ quality traits (weight, specific gravity, shape index, and shell colour) on incubation results during the first laying period of African ostriches (Struthio camelus). 100 ostrich eggs were incubated in four sets. Hatching eggs weight had a significant influence on incubation results. Eggs weighing about 1500g should be assigned for incubation. There is a clear trend towards hatchability increasing with egg weight growth. Better results of incubation were registered for more spherical than for elongated eggs i.e. characterised by higher values of shape index. The embryo development in fertilized eggs resulted in considerably higher weight loss than in unfertilized eggs. The obtained results point to the necessity to pay attention to external traits of ostrich eggs intended for incubation as well as their more intensive selection on the basis of such traits as weight or shape index. Perhaps this procedure would allow improving significantly the results of hatching. Furthermore, it appears that research continuation, including larger amount of material, would allow generalizing the conclusions.

[1]  I. Malecki,et al.  Influence of incubation management on pipping position, hatching ability and survival of ostrich chicks , 2011 .

[2]  M. Aghkhani,et al.  Fertility recognition of ostrich egg using physical properties. , 2010 .

[3]  I. Malecki,et al.  Genetic parameters for ostrich incubation traits in South Africa , 2010 .

[4]  D. Majewska,et al.  Egg weight effects on hatchability of African ostrich. , 2010 .

[5]  M. Jahantigh.  Bacteriological study of dead-in-shell embryos of ostrich , 2010 .

[6]  B. Dzoma,et al.  A retrospective study of egg production, fertility and hatchability of farmed ostriches in Botswana. , 2009 .

[7]  C. Brown,et al.  Factors related to shell deaths during artificial incubation of ostrich eggs. , 2007, Journal of the South African Veterinary Association.

[8]  S. Hassan,et al.  Egg storage period and weight effects on hatchability of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs. , 2005, Poultry science.

[9]  D. Szczerbińska,et al.  The ostrich and emu egg hatchability with reference to dead embryo analysis , 2005 .

[10]  S. Hassan,et al.  Incubation temperature for ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs. , 2004, Poultry science.

[11]  S. Cloete,et al.  Differentiation between females of ostrich breeding trios based on egg weights , 2004 .

[12]  C. Brown,et al.  The effect of dietary energy and protein levels on production in breeding female ostriches , 2003, British poultry science.

[13]  A. Ipek,et al.  e effect of different incubation temperatures on the incubation performance of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs , 2003 .

[14]  A. Ipek,et al.  The effects of storage temperature and position on embryonic mortality of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs , 2003 .

[15]  J. Horbańczuk.  Doskonalenie technologii sztucznych legow strusia afrykanskiego [Struthio camelus] z uwzglednieniem aspektow biologicznych , 2000 .

[16]  D. Deeming.  Factors affecting hatchability during commercial incubation of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs. , 1995, British poultry science.

[17]  G. Reiner,et al.  Cholesterol content, nutrients and fatty acid profiles of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs , 1995 .

[18]  R. E. Morris,et al.  Mortality of chicks and decreased fertility and hatchability of eggs from a captive breeding pair of ostriches. , 1986, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

[19]  R. H. Keffen,et al.  SOME PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OSTRICH EGG INCUBATION , 1985 .