Egypt. Poult. Sci. Vol (32) (IV): (725-733) EFFECT OF EGG WEIGHT GRADES, POROSITY AND THEIR INTERACTION ON SOME HATCHING TRAITS OF OSTRICH EGGS By S. A. El-Safty Fac. of Agric., Poultry Production Dept., Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Received: 24/10/2012 Accepted: 06/11/2012 ABSTRACT: This study aims to determine the effect of egg weight grades, eggshell pores count and their interaction on some hatching traits (egg weight, egg weight loss, chick weight, eggshell weight, shell thickness, pores count and eggshell area) of ostrich eggs. The hatchability percent was calculated according to the egg weight classes (≤1350g, 13511450g and ≥1451g). The relationships between body weight of newly hatched chicks and hatching traits according to egg weight classes were investigated. The current study was carried out on ostrich eggs, which were collected from African Black Neck ostrich flock located at Bia Valley project, Libya. A total of 1200 eggs collected from 1500 ostrich females were incubated. Hatching results showed that heavier eggs had a lower hatchability and vice versa. There was no significant effect of egg weight trait on pores count per square centimeter of eggshell. Likewise, there was no significant effect of the interaction between egg weight and pores count/cm2 of the shell on the characteristics of chick weight, egg weight loss percent and eggshell surface. Results showed that for better hatchability of ostrich eggs, it is recommended that the average weight of hatching eggs should not be more than 1350 g. INTRODUCTION Breeding and management practices of ostriches are requiring more efforts and investigations to develop and sophisticate the ostrich industry around the world. Egg hatchability and chick quality upon hatching have been used as hatchery performance indicators. Factors associated with low hatchability percentage in ostrich eggs include prolonged pre-incubation storage (up to 2 weeks), season, poor breeder nutrition, breeder age, improper egg handling, contamination, incubator or hatcher malfunctions and humidity or temperature problems (Nahm, 2001; Cabassi et al., 2004; Hassan et al., 2004; Ipek and Sahan, 2004 and Malecki et al., 2005). One of the most influential egg parameters that influence hatchability is egg weight (King'ori, 2011), while fresh egg weight is the most important factor affecting chick weight at hatch (Brand et al., 2009; Mahrose et al., 2009). In broiler breeders, larger eggs and poor shell quality with age increased early and late embryonic mortality, in turn decline the hatchability percent (Tona et al., 2004; Joseph and Moran, 2005). In management guides for commercial parents in chickens, 52 to 68 g may be specified as optimal weight range for hatching eggs (Cavero et al., 2011). There is evidence that size of eggs had an effect on embryonic deaths and hatchability of broiler chickens (Malago and Baitilwake, 2009), quail (Petek and Dikmen, 2004) and rock Partridges (Caglayan et al., 2009). So far, in ostrich, there is not a certain range of the optimal egg weight for achieving optimal hatching percentage. This research aims mainly to S. A. El-Safty detect the influence of egg weight and eggshell pores count classes on some hatching traits of ostrich. In addition, the relationship between egg weight and hatchability percent was considered. candling was at 39 days to follow up the development of the embryos. Hatchability percentage A total of 1200 eggs, collected from 1500 ostrich females, were set into the incubator. The hatchability percent was calculated according to the three egg weight classes (≤1350g, 1351-1450g and ≥1451g). The hatchability percent was computed as follow: Hatchability%= (Total number of eggs that hatched successfully/ Total number of eggs laid)*100 MATERIALS AND METHODS Birds, Husbandry and Egg Incubation The current trial involved ostrich eggs (throughout February and March, 2009) which were collected from African Black Neck ostrich flock (9 to 11 yr of age) located at Bia Valley project, north of Libya. Birds were fed about 1.5 kg daily of a pelleted ratite breeder ration (17.5% CP, 2650 kcal, ME/kg, 2.7% Ca, 0.95% av. P of feed) and water was supplied ad libitum. Each trio (one male and two females) was housed in a fenced pen (25X15m.). Floors were well covered with sand throughout the trial and pens and were checked from two to three times daily for the presence of eggs. Eggs were washed and disinfected in warm water containing CHEM-50 solution (Iodine family). After sanitation, eggs were stored for 4 days at 17°C and 80% relative humidity (RH) in vertical position up to incubation. The incubator and hatcher used was Victoria type (1200 eggs capacity for incubator and 576 eggs for the hatcher) machine. The temperature of the incubator ranged from 36.1- 36.3°C and 23- 30% RH, whereas the hatcher was operated at 35°C and 50% RH. Eggs were set into the incubator racks vertically, with air sac upside, and turned through an angle of 45°, 6 times daily for the first 39 days of incubation. The eggs were then transferred to the hatching unit in order to hatch. The incubation time allowed for the ostrich chicks to hatch was 44 day. All eggs were candled three times during the incubation using 150-watt candling lamp; the first time at 10 days of incubation to eliminate the checked eggshell or eggs which have fungi, the second time at 21 days to detect the fertile eggs from which the fertilized eggs for the current trial were chosen. The last Egg Weight, Egg Weight Loss and Chick Weight Eventually 100 fertilized eggs and 100 chicks of African Black Neck ostrich were used. Individual eggs were identified and weighed (±0.01 g) at set of incubation. The eggs have been divided into three egg weight grades; Large eggs [(≥1451g), n=30], medium eggs [(1351- 1450), n=30] and small eggs [(≤1350), n=40]. All subsequent traits were determined based on egg weight class. Egg weight loss (EWL), in grams and percentages was determined, with EWL percentage = (egg weight at first – egg weight at end)/ egg weight at first X 100. Chick weights were determined upon hatching using an electronic pan balance that was accurate to 0.01 g. Eggshell Porosity, Eggshell Thickness and Eggshell Surface Area An estimate of an individual egg's pores (small and large) was determined by averaging pore counts obtained from discretionary sampling at five independent 1 cm2 sites on an egg's surface. Four of the sampling sites were approximately equidistant along the equator, while one site was at the center of the air-cell. To better visualize and facilitate a more accurate counting of egg's pores, each selected site was dyed with KMnO4 dye. A magnifying lens have been used to count the number of pores. Pores count was 726 Ostrich, egg weight, pores count, egg weight loss, hatchability divided into two classes; the first class, pores count was ≤ 22 (ranged from 9-22 pore/cm2, n=40), in the second class, pores count was ≥ 23 (ranged from 23- 35 pore/cm2, n=60). An estimate of overall shell thickness was obtained by averaging thickness measurements made at the same preselected five shell sites. A digital micrometer was used to make individual thickness measurements to the nearest 0.01 mm. Eggshell surface area was also estimated according to the following equation by Paganelli et al. (1974): Egg surface area (cm2) = 4.735W0.662, where "W" is the weight of egg. (EG*P) ij = interaction between egg weight and porosity, eijkl = experimental error. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Effect of Egg Weight on Hatchability Percentage Unquestionably, fertility and hatchability are two major parameters that highly influence day-old chicks. It is therefore very important to understand the factors that influence fertility and hatchability of eggs. The current results revealed that the egg weight of ostrich played an important role in hatchability trait (Fig1). The highest hatching percentage for fertile eggs (65%) was from eggs, which weigh ≤1350g, followed by the eggs weighting between 1351- 1450g, (21%). The poorest hatching result (14%) was for eggs weighting ≥1451g. the results of this study thus showed that the best hatching results were from eggs with lighter weights if compared to the other two egg weight classes. In management guides for commercial parents in chicken, 52 to 68 g may be specified as optimal weight range for hatching eggs (Cavero et al., 2011). Our results corresponded with King'ori (2011), who also reported that the most influential egg parameters that influence hatchability are; weight of egg, shell thickness and porosity, shape and the consistency of the contents. Statistical Analysis Data were subjected to two-way analysis of variance with egg weight and porosity as main effects and their interaction using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS User’s Guide, (1998). Percentage data were transformed to arc sine and reanalyzed. Correlation coefficients between chick weight and some egg traits according to egg weight classes were computed using the PROC CORR procedure. The following model was used; Yijk= + EGi + Pj + (EG*P) ij + eijk Where; = overall mean, EGi= egg weight effect (i =1, 2, 3), Pj = porosity effect (j =1, 2), 727 S. A. El-Safty Figure (1): Effect of egg weight grades on hatchability percent. eggs (about 19% and 1.9mm, respectively). These results were in agreement with the findings of Di Meo et al. (2003) and Mahrose (2007). Logically, the larger egg weight class had the larger eggshell surface followed by medium and small egg weight classes, respectively. The difference among the three groups in eggshell surface trait was highly significant. Regardless of egg weight class, the eggshell surface was in the normal range of ostrich egg surfaces (ranged from 540 to 600cm2). The previous result was in good agreement with Superchi et al. (2002). Egg weight had no significant effect on pore count per square centimeter of eggshell, with 26.9, 25.4 and 27.1 pore/cm2 for small, medium and large egg weight, respectively. This is slightly higher than the 22 pore/cm2 reported by Cloete Jr et al. (2006). The results showed that there was no notable significant interaction between egg weight and eggshell pores count per square centimeter on chick weight, egg weight loss percent and eggshell surface. However, the significant effect was observed on the shell weight trait. Chick Weight and Some Egg Traits as Affected by Ostrich Egg Weight As reported by Wilson (1991), there is a strong positive correlation between the weight of an egg and the weight of the hatched chick. Table 1 shows that heavier eggs produced heavier chicks, with also a significant difference between the three different egg weight classes (P≤0.01). Egg weight class did not affect chick weight, presented as a percentage of total egg weight. Chick percentage was in the normal range (about 63%). Wilson et al. (1997) and Gonzalez et al. (1999) reported that the ostrich chick weight as a percent of initial egg weight ranged from 53 to 70%. Egg weight class had no effect on the amount of water loss during the incubation. The corresponding value was almost 15% and it was in accordance with the results of (Ar, 1991; Deeming, 1993; More, 1996). Eggshell weight for eggs in larger egg weight group was significantly heavier if compared to the other two egg groups. Regardless of the egg weight class, the percent of eggshell and shell thickness traits were in the normal range of ostrich 728 Ostrich, egg weight, pores count, egg weight loss, hatchability Table (1): Effect of egg weight category on chick weight and some egg traits. Egg weight class, g Trait Small Medium Large ≤ 1350 1351- 1450 ≥ 1451 Chick weight, g 820.5c±37.4 882.8b±42.6 945.7a±36.6 Chick % 63.6±2.46 63.2±2.6 63.1±1.6 Egg weight loss % 15.0±0.41 14.9±0.02 14.9±0.31 Shell weight, g 248.7b±27.4 268.3b±34.4 290.0a±29.4 Shell % 19.2±1.9 19.3±2.6 19.4±1.7 Shell thickness, mm 1.90±0.12 1.92±0.12 1.88±0.07 2 c b Eggshell surface, cm 543.3 ±1.4 572.3 ±1.52 598.8a±4.50 Pores Count /cm2 26.9±5.03 25.4±6.71 27.1±5.93 a,b,c Means within a row with no common superscript differ significantly. Prob. 0.01 NS NS 0.01 NS NS 0.01 NS of small and medium eggs. A significantly negative relationship was observed between egg weight loss and pores count in medium eggs only, where the corresponding value was intermediate (r = 0.34). This result suggest that medium weight eggs might loss more weight compared to either small or large eggs. As a result of this relationship the hatchability of medium eggs was low (21%) compared to small eggs (65%). Davis et al. (1988) reported that the excessive egg weight loss during incubation causes early depletion of allantoic fluids, which results in the subsequent dehydration of the embryo and extends the period of osmotic stress and in turn low hatchability. For small eggs, the results showed a positive and significant relationship was realized between shell weight and pores count (r= 0.43). On the other hand, a positive and significant relationship existed between shell thickness and pores count only in medium weight of eggs, but the corresponding value was weak (r = 0.22). Influence of Pores Count on Chick Weight, Percent and Egg Weight Loss Total pores count (≤ 22 or ≥ 23) had no impact on chick weight and percent and total egg weight loss during the incubation period (Tables 2, 3). Although, there was a variation in pores number between the two classes, the chick percent and total egg weight loss were in the normal range (about 63% and 15%, respectively). This could mean that the number of pores may be influenced by the size of the pores in order to produce a relative normal chick weight regardless egg weight or pores count. The relationship between egg weight (small, medium and large) and chick weight, egg weight loss, shell weight, shell thickness, egg surface and pores count are presented in Table 4. The significantly negative relationship was observed between chick weight and shell weight in both small (r = - 0.21) and medium eggs (r = - 0.88). In large eggs, moderate and positive correlation was realized between chick weight and shell thickness. While, this relationship was almost null in the case 729 S. A. El-Safty Table (2): Effect of pores count on chick weight, percentage and egg weight loss. Pores count per cm2 ≤22 839.5±9.6 63.9±0.29 15.04±0.09 Trait Chick weight, g Chick % Egg weight loss % ≥23 845.3±5.3 63.5±0.38 14.88±0.06 Table (3): Analysis of variance of egg weight (EW) and porosity (P) and their interaction on chick weight and some egg traits. Trait Chick weight S.O.V. Significance Egg weight *** Porosity NS EW*P NS Egg weight loss % Egg weight NS Porosity NS EW*P NS Eggshell surface Egg weight *** Porosity NS EW*P NS Shell weight Egg weight *** Porosity NS EW*P * NS= Not Significant *= Significant at P≤0.05 ***= Significant at P≤0.001 Table (4): Phenotypic correlation coefficients between chick weight and some egg traits according to egg weight class. Trait Chick Wt (Y) EWL (Y1) Shell (Y2) weight Y - Y1 -0.24 -0.34 -0.25 - Y2 -0.21*** -0.88*** -0.04 -0.17 0.23 0.12 - Shell Thickness (Y3) Egg (Y4) Pores (Y5) Y3 -0.03 0.02 0.39* -0.03 0.06 0.41 0.09 -0.08 -0.28 - surface count *= Significant at P≤0.05 ***= Significant at P≤0.001 730 Y4 0.21*** 0.39 0.77 -0.10 -0.17 -0.06 0.01 -0.37 0.57 0.04 0.27 0.39 - Y5 0.54 0.63 0.77 -0.18 -0.34* -0.06 0.43* -0.21 0.57 -0.17 0.22* -0.38 0.35 0.43 0.91 - Egg class Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Ostrich, egg weight, pores count, egg weight loss, hatchability egg weight classes. The current results suggest that increased hatchability may be achieved if ostrich eggs weighing no more than 1350 g are used. CONCLUSION In general, there is a lack of information dealing with the effects of eggshell characteristics on the ostrich chick weight and the relationships among them. Further investigations on the relationships between ostrich chick weight and eggshell traits are suggested to ensure their effects on chick weight at hatching and at latter weights. It is important to note that the better hatchability was observed from the small eggs (≤ 1350) compared to the other Acknowledgments I am grateful to Bia Valley Project Administration for allowing me to take those valuable data on the ostrich flock. Also, many thanks to Mr. Ramy King for his valuable efforts throughout the data collection. of image analysis for the measurement of ostrich eggshell traits. South African Journal of Animal Science, 36: 155- 159. Davis, T.A., Shen, S.S. and Ackerman, R.A. (1988). Embryonic osmoregulation: consequences of high and low water loss during incubation of the chicken egg. The Journal of Experimental Zoology, 245: 144–156. Deeming, D.C. (1993). The incubation requirements of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs and embryo. pp, 1-66 in Ostrich Odyssey: Proceedings of the Meeting of the Australian Ostrich Association Inc. (Vic.), No. 217. F.I. Bryden, ed. University of Sydney, Australia. Di Meo, C., Stanco, G., Cutrignelli, M. I., Castaldo, S. and Nizza, A. (2003). Physical and chemical quality of ostrich eggs during the laying season. British Poultry Science, 44: 386-390. Gonzalez, A., Satterlee, D.G., Moharer, F. and Cadd, G.G. (1999). Factors affecting ostrich egg hatchability. Poultry Science, 78: 1257-1262. Hassan, S.M., Siam, A.A., Mady, M.F. and Cartwright, A.L. (2004). Incubation temperature for ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs. Poultry Science, 83: p. 495. REFERENCES Ar, A. (1991). Egg and water movements during incubation. pp, 157- 173 in Avian Incubation, S.G. Tullet, ed. Butterworth- Heinemann, London, UK. Brand, Z., Cloete, S.W.P., Malecki, I.A. and Brown, C.R. (2009). Genetic parameters for ostrich incubation traits in South Africa. South African Journal of Animal Science, 39: 253259. Cabassi ,C.S., Taddei, S., Predari, G., Galvani, G., Ghidini, F., Schiano, E. and Cavirani, S. (2004). Bacteriologic Findings in Ostrich (Struthio camelus) Eggs from Farms with Reproductive Failures. Avian Diseases, 48: 716- 722. Caglayan, T., Alasahan, S., Kirikci, K. and Gunlu, A. (2009). Effect of different egg storage periods on some egg quality characteristics and hatchability of partridges (Alectoris graeca). Poultry Science, 88: 1330- 1333. Cavero, D., Schmutz, M., Icken, W. and Preisinger, R. (2011). Improving hatchability in white egg layer strains through breeding. Lohmann Information, 46: Page 44. Cloete, Jr., S.W.P., Scholtz, A.J., Brand, Z. and Cloete, S.W.P. (2006). A preliminary study on the application 731 S. A. El-Safty Ipek, Sahan (2004). Effect of breeder age and breeding season on egg production and incubation in farmed ostriches. British Poultry Science, 45: 643- 647. Joseph, N.S. and Moran, Jr. E.T. (2005). Effect of age and post emergent holding in the on broiler performance and further processing yield. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 14: 512-520. King'ori, A.M. (2011). Review of the Factors That Influence Egg Fertility and Hatchabilty in Poultry. International Journal of Poultry Science, 10: 483-492. Mahrose, Kh.M.A. (2007). 'Some managerial studies on ostriches under Egyptian conditions.' PhD thesis, University of Zagazig, Egypt. Mahrose, Kh.M.A., Khalil, H.A. and Mady, M.E. (2009). Some factors affecting ostrich chick weight at hatch and its performance during the first four weeks of age. In 'Proceedings of the 5th International Poultry Conference', Taba, Egypt, pp. 1693- 1702. Malago, J.J. and Baitilwake, M.A. (2009). Egg traits, fertility, hatchability and chick survivability of Rhode Island Red, local and crossbred chickens. Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 26: 24- 36. Malecki, I.A., Horbańczuk, J.O., Reed, C.E. and Martin, G.B. (2005). The ostrich (Struthio camelus) blastoderm and embryo development following storage of eggs at various temperature. British Poultry Science, 46: 652-660. More, S.J. (1996). The performance of farmed ostrich eggs in eastern Australia. Preventative Veterinary Medicine, 29: 91-106. Nahm, K.H. (2001). Effect of storage length and weight loss during incubation on the hatchability of ostrich eggs (struthio camelus). Poultry Science, 80: 1667- 1670. Paganelli, C.V., Ackerman, R.A. and Rahn, H. (1974). The avian egg: in vivo conductances to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor in late development, in: Piiper, J. (Ed), Respiratory Function in Birds, Adult and Embryonic, pp. 212-218 (New York, Springer-Verlag). Petek, M. and Dikmen, S. (2004). The effect of prestorage incubation of quail breeder eggs on hatchability and subsequent growth performance of progeny. Animal Research, 53: 527- 534. SAS Institute (1998). SAS/STAT User's Guide: Statistics. Ver. 6.0, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. Superchi, P., Sussi, C., Sabbioni, A. and Beretti, V. (2002). Italian ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs: physical characteristics and chemical composition. Annual Faculty Medicine, Vet. di Parma (Vol. XXII, 2002), pp, 155- 162. Tona, K., Onagbesan, O., De Ketelaere, B., Decupere, E. and Bruggeman, V. (2004). Effect of age of broiler breeders and egg storage on egg quality, hatchability, chick quality, chick weight and chick post hatch growth to forty-two days. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 13: 1018. Wilson, H.R. (1991). Interrelationships of egg size, chick size, posthatching growth and hatchability. World's Poultry Science Journal, 47: 5- 20. Wilson, H.R., Eldred, A.R. and Wilcox, C.J. (1997). Storage time and ostrich egg hatchability. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 6: 216220. 732 Ostrich, egg weight, pores count, egg weight loss, hatchability الولخص العربي تأثير أقسام وزى البيض والوساهيت والتداخل بيٌهوا على بعض صفاث الفقس لبيض الٌعام صالح الديي عبد الرحوي الصفتي كليت السراعت -قسن إًتاج الدواجي -جاهعت عيي شوس -القاهرة ،هصر حٓدف ْذِ اندراست إنى حقدٌز حأرٍز أقسبو ٔسٌ انبٍضٔ ،عدد رغٕر قشزة انبٍضتٔ ،انخداخم بًٍُٓب عهى بعض صفبث انفقس ( ٔسٌ انبٍضت ،انفقد فً ٔسٌ انبٍضتٔ ،سٌ انكخكٕثٔ ،سٌ قشزة انبٍضت ،سًُك انقشزة ،عدد انزغٕر، ٔيسبحة سطخ انقشزة ) نبٍض انُعبو .حى دسبة َسبت انفقس طبقب ً نفئبث ٔسٌ انبٍض (أصغز يٍ أٔ ٌسبٔي 1350جى، انعالق بٍٍ ٔسٌ انكخبكٍج ددٌزت انفقس ٔبعض ة يٍ 1450 -1351جى ،أكبز يٍ أٔ ٌسبٔي 1451جى) .حى أٌضب ً حقدٌز صفبث انفقس طبقبً نهفئبث انٕسٍَت نهبٍض .أجزٌج اندراست انذبنٍت عهى بٍض انُعبو األفزٌقً أسٕد انزقبت بًشزٔع ٔادي بٍب -نٍبٍب ،دٍذ حى حذضٍٍ عدد 1200بٍضت َعبو َبحجت يٍ قطٍع ٌبهغ عددِ َ 1500عبيت ببنغت .أظٓزث َخبئج انفقس أٌ انبٍض األدقم ٔسَب ً اَنفضج بّ َسبت انفقس ٔانعكس كبٌ صذٍذب ً ،كًب ال ٌٕجد حأرٍزاً يعٌُٕب ً نٕسٌ انبٍض عهى عدد انزغٕر فً سى 2يٍ سطخ قشزة انبٍضتٔ ،ال ٌٕجد أٌضب ً حأرٍزاً يعٌ اً ٔي نهخداخم بٍٍ ٔسٌ انبٍض ٔعدد انزغٕر عهى كم يٍ ٔسٌ انكخكٕثُ ٔ ،يعدل انفقد فً ٔسٌ انبٍضتٔ ،يسبدت سطخ انقشزةٔ .عهٍّ فإٌ َخبئج اندراست انذبنٍت قد خهصج إنى أَّ نهذصٕل عهى ُيعدالث فقس ُيزرٍت نبٍض انُعبو ،فإَّ ٌٕصى بأٌ ال ٌشٌد ُو حٕسظ ٔسٌ بٍض انخفزٌخ عٍ 1350جى. 733
© Copyright 2024 Paperzz