Effects of laying month and length of the storage period on hatchability of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs

Abstract

The effects of laying month and length of the storage period on hatchability of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs were studied. A total of 1,740 hatching eggs gathered between April and May from a farm located in the province of Córdoba, Southern Spain, were stored at 17-18.5C and 30% RH for periods varying from 1 to 28 days, and subsequently incubated at 36.4C and 22% RH. It was found that egg weight increased as the laying season progressed, with the eggs laid in April showing lower weights than the eggs laid from May to August (P<0.05). There was also a seasonal effect on hatchability (P<0.001), that peaked in May. It was found an effect of the length of storage period on hatchability (P<0.001). Storage of ostrich eggs up to 12 d did not affect subsequent hatchability under profitable conditions, although a significant decline in hatchability occurred when the eggs were stored for longer periods. This finding has practical implications for successful hatchery management because allows prolonged storage of eggs, while being gathered sufficient-sized batches to be incubated and shipment of long shelf-life hatching eggs at ostrich farms, while maintaining optimum hatchability until further incubation. © 2014 Friends Science Publishers