Influence of the Laying Date on the Fertility and Hatchability of Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) Eggs

Abstract

In several countries, there is a well-developed market for Red-Legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) eggs for incubation. Although Red-Legged partridge eggs produced at game farms are sold with a guaranteed average hatchability, there is a marked seasonal variation in fertility and hatchability. Therefore, an average incubating hatchability value cannot be generalized across the whole breeding season. In this research, the influence that the laying date has upon the fertility and hatchability of incubated eggs and the hatchability of the fertile eggs incubated at a farm of Red-Legged partridge was analyzed. It was found that the laying date did indeed influence the fertility and hatchability of the incubated eggs. Fertility and hatchability were greater in the eggs set in the incubator between mid February and late March than those of the eggs set in late April and early May. Hatchability of fertile eggs was greater in the eggs set in the incubator in mid March and lower in the eggs set in late April. The higher values obtained during the middle of the laying period and the lower ones obtained at the end of the laying period cause the game farms’ need to inform their potential customers of the eggs’ expected hatchability as a function of their laying date.