Effects of hatching egg weight and length of storage period on hatching success in pekin ducks

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of hatching egg weight and length of storage period on egg weight loss, hatchability performance and incubation length of Pekin ducks. Eggs were classified into 3 groups on the basis of egg weight such as small, medium, and large. Then, the eggs in each group were further divided into 3 storage period treatments (5, 10, or 15 days). At the end of the storage period eggs were weighted individually to determine egg weight loss. Hatching time, apparent fertility, hatchability of total and fertile eggs, and embryonic mortality were determined to measured hatching success. Egg weight loss during the storage period significantly affected by egg weight and length of storage period (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). Differences for the hatching time, apparent fertility, hatchability of total and of fertile eggs, embryonic mortality in the storage period groups were found significant (P < 0.001). The results of this study showed that effects of the hatching egg weight and length of storage on hatchability was similar to other kind of poultry. In general, hatchability was more affected by length of egg storage period.