Egg Weight Groups Research Articles

Study on External Egg Quality Parameters and Hatchability of Sakini Breed in Swine and Avian Research Program, Lalitpur, Nepal

Eggs are an important and convenient source of protein for those living in rural regions. In addition, eggs from local hens are popular and traded for a fair price. As a result, the primary goal of this study was to evaluate egg laying and egg quality parameters in Sakini (Gallus gallus domesticus) from Nepal in order to better understand the chicken’s reproductive fitness and the relationship between the parameters. For this, a total of 120 eggs from different weeks (30 from each week) were taken as a sample. The egg sample was collected from the birds of different ages i.e. 43rd, 48th, 56th, and 57th weeks. These chickens were raised in the same environment and management conditions at Swine and Avian Research Program (SARP), Khumaltar. Eggs were candled during incubation, i.e., on the 18th day. A strong light was held under the eggs to observe their fertility during candling of eggs. External egg quality parameters like Egg weight, Egg length, Egg breadth, Shape index and Egg color were measured. Fertility and hatchability percentages were calculated. The findings have shown that the highest fertility rate was observed for the 48.47 ±0.71 gm egg weight group i.e., 80 %. However, the highest overall hatchability was observed in the 48.73±0.68 gm egg weight group which is 70 %. On the basis of their shape index, there is significantly highest (P<0.01) fertility rate was observed in the 67.26 ± 0.56 group that is 70 %.

Research Note: Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals potential candidate genes and regulatory pathways associated with egg weight in ducks

Egg weight is an important indicator of egg phenotypic traits, which directly affects the economic benefits of the poultry industry. In the present research, laying ducks were classified into high egg weight (HEW) and light egg weight (LEW) groups. To reveal the underlying mechanism that may be responsible for the egg weight difference, the integrated analysis of transcriptomes and serum metabolomics was performed between the two groups. The results showed extremely significant differences (P < 0.01) in the total egg weight at 300 d, and average egg weight between the HEW and LEW groups. 733, 591, 82, and 74 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the liver, magnum, F1, and F5 (hierarchical follicles) follicle membrane, respectively. The candidate genes were screened further from the perspective of forming an egg. In terms of egg yolk formation, the functional analysis revealed fatty acid metabolism-related pathways account for 36% of the liver's top pathways, including fatty acid biosynthesis, folate biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, and glycerol lipid metabolism pathways. FASN gene was identified as the key candidate gene by comprehensive analysis of gene expression and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. In the follicle membrane, the DEGs were mainly enriched in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and MAPK signaling pathway, and HSPA2, HSPA8, BAG3 genes were identified as crucial candidate genes. In terms of egg white formation, the functional analysis revealed protein metabolism-related pathways account for 40% of the magnum's top pathways, which includes protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum pathway. HSP90AA1 and HSPA8 genes were identified as key candidate genes. In addition, the integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis showed that arginine and proline metabolism pathways could contribute to differences in egg weight. Thus, we speculated that the potential candidate genes, regulatory pathways, and metabolic biomarkers mentioned above might be responsible for the egg weight difference. These findings might provide a theoretical basis for improving the egg weight of ducks.

The Effect of Hatching System and Egg Weight on Production Traits in Turkish Geese: Growth Performance, Slaughter and Meat Quality Traits

This study was aimed to determine the effect of hatching system (house and machine) and egg weight (heavy and light) on growth performance and meat quality traits in geese. The study was carried out for 12 weeks with a total of 220 Turkish native geese. The geese were individually weighed every 2 weeks during the study, on these same weeks feed conversion ratio (FCR) was measured. Hot and cold dressed, blood, head, foot, edible internal organs (heart, liver, gizzard), abdominal fat, neck, back, breast, thigh and wing percentages were determined. Also cooking loss, drip loss, color and pH were determined as meat quality traits. There was no significant difference between the egg weight groups in terms of BW. However, the geese produced in the house hatching system showed more BW from 6 to 12 weeks of age onwards compared to the machine system. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of FCR by 8 weeks. Both 10 and 12 weeks FCR were determined as the worst house heavy, while the best house light groups. Hot and cold carcass percentages in geese hatched from heavy were higher rates than light eggs. The percentage of wings differed significantly among geese produced from different egg weight groups. Breast meat cooking loss was found higher rates in heavy eggs than light eggs, while thigh meat cooking loss was found higher rates in the house than machine system. The results of this study show that geese hatched in the house system had more BW at the slaughter age compared to machine system geese. In addition, geese produced from heavy eggs showed a higher hot and cold dressed percentages than geese produced from light eggs.

Japon Bıldırcınlarında Yumurta Ağırlığı, Kuluçka Sıcaklığı ve Kabuk Sıcaklığının Kuluçka Sonuçlarına Etkilerinin Belirlenmesi

Bu çalışmada 32 haftalık yaştaki Japon bıldırcını sürüsünden elde edilen toplam 402 kuluçkalık yumurta, gelişme döneminde kabuk sıcaklığı, kabuk sıcaklığı ile makine sıcaklığı arasındaki fark ve oransal ağırlık (nem) kaybının kuluçka sonuçları üzerine etkilerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla kullanılmıştır. Yumurtalar ağırlık sınıfına göre iki gruba ayrılmış (≤12 g ve &gt;12 g) ve makine katlarına rastgele ve eşit olarak dağıtılmıştır. Beklendiği üzere, kuluçkalık yumurta ağırlığı civciv çıkış ağırlıklarını önemli ölçüde etkilemiştir. Hafif yumurtalar ağır yumurtalara göre daha fazla nem kaybetmişlerdir. Embriyo, gelişme döneminin ilk yarısında hissedilir düzeyde ısı üretememekteyse de (endotermik faz), ikinci yarısında belirgin biçimde ısı üretmeye başladığından (ekzotermik faz), kabuk sıcaklığı makine iç sıcaklığından daha yüksek olmuştur. Bu durum ağır yumurtalarda daha belirgin olmaktadır. Gelişim döneminin ilk yarısında kabuk sıcaklığı hafif yumurtalarda ağır yumurtalara göre daha yüksekken, ikinci yarıda yumurta ağırlık gruplarında belirlenen kabuk sıcaklıkları katlara göre değişmiştir. Genel olarak, büyüyen embriyonun artık belirgin biçimde ısı ürettiği bu geç dönemde iri yumurtalarda ve üst katta yer alan yumurtalarda daha yüksek kabuk sıcaklıkları belirlenmiştir. Alt kattaki hafif yumurtalar, diğer tüm kombinasyonlardaki yumurtalardan daha düşük kabuk sıcaklığı değerlerine sahip olmuşlardır. Son dönem embriyonik ölümler ağır yumurtalarda önemli ölçüde daha yüksek bulunmuştur.

Effects of weight and storage duration of hatching eggs of Indonesian Local Chicken on several measures of internal quality and hatchability

Hatchability and some internal qualities of hatching eggs of Indonesian Local Chicken (ILC) were investigated from different egg weights and storage durations. A total of 950 eggs (including 120 eggs for internal quality measurements) were collected and selected from a flock of INC aged 55 – 60 weeks reared in the University Farm, during 3-week production not consecutively. The research was arranged as a 6 x 4 factorial based on a randomized completely block design, using 6 levels of egg storage duration of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days, and 4 levels of egg weight (EW), 3 replication of unequal individual amount in each replication unit. Before storing, the eggs in each group were classified according to their weights: (1) ≥35 - <40; (2).! 40 -< 45; (3) ≥ 45 - <50 and (4) ≥ 50 - < 55gr. All eggs were sterilized using alcohol 70%, numbered and stored at room temperature 26-27°C with relative humidity 60-70%. The results indicated that the proportion of egg weight loss of lighter egg at different storage duration was mostly significantly higher (P<0.05) than the heavier one. During storage, as the proportion of EW, albumen decreased, yolk and shell slightly increased. Based on correlation coefficient analysis, irrespective of storage duration and egg weight groups, the results indicated that egg weight losses were more closely associated (P<0.05) with alteration in albumen weight than other traits. Hatchability of fertile eggs (%) of all ranges of EW were significantly decreased with longer storage time, and the heavier decreased more significant than that of the lighter one, particularly after 3 d storage. Hatchability of EW more than 40 g showed better at 2 d storage duration compared to that of 1 d storage. Hatchability of EW up to 45 g was significantly better compared to those of heavier EW. In conclusion, hatchability of hatching fertile egg of ILC can be maintained at a level higher than 75% up to 3 d storage duration, and then its decrease was markedly for the weight of the eggs heavier than 50 g.

Correlation Between Egg Weight and Egg Characteristics in Japanese Quail

A study was undertaken to predict the correlation between egg weight and egg characteristics in quail. Data was collected on 102 eggs collected from female quails at 28 weeks. Eggs were numbered, weighed and classified into six egg weight groups: below 9.0g, 9.0-9.5g, 9.6-10.0g, 10.1-10.5g, 10.6-11.0g, and above 11g group. There were 17 eggs per egg weight group. Data was collected on egg weight, shell weight, shell ratio, albumen height, albumen weight, albumen ratio, albumen index, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk weight, yolk ratio and Haugh Unit. Data collected were analysed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of the Genstat edition 11. The correlation between the various characteristics of egg were determined. The result shows that Albumen diameter, albumen length and albumen width were influenced by size of egg (<i>p</i><0.05). Albumen diameter and albumen length increases with increasing egg size. There was a positive correlation between egg length and albumen (0.448), albumen diameter (0.463), shell surface area (<i>p</i><0.01). Egg width, height, shape index, shell ratio and shell surface area were significantly (<i>p</i>>0.05) influenced by the sizes of quail eggs. The egg sizes of above 11g had the best egg length followed by 10.6g-11.0g, 10.1g-10.5g, 9.6g-10.5g, 9.0g-9.5g and below 9.0 g had the least egg length indicating a direct relationship between egg length and egg weight. The positive correlations between the internal and external egg quality traits indicated that the traits can be improved through selection.

Influence of egg weight and inclusion of oat hulls in the diet on digestive tract traits and growth performance of brown pullets reared under stress conditions

We studied the influence of pre-hatch egg weight (EW) and the inclusion of oat hulls (OH) in the diet on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits and growth performance of pullets reared under stress conditions early in life. There were 14 treatments organized as a 7 × 2 factorial with 7 EW groups (47.0 to 54.0g differing in 1 g between groups) and 2 inclusion levels of OH in the diet (0vs. 3%). The pullets were reared under a series of stresses early in life (no access to feed for extended time post-hatching, reduced accessibility to feed and water at arrival to the farm, reduced ambient temperature at night, low light intensity, and hot-blade beak trimming at 18 D of age). Feed intake, BW gain, and FCR were measured by period (0 to 5, 5 to 10, and 10 to 16 wk of age) and cumulatively. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with EW and OH inclusion as main effects. In addition, EW effect was partitioned into linear and quadratic components. The stress conditions applied affected similarly the growth and GIT development of the pullets, independent of EW. An increase in EW increased BW at hatch and at 5 wk of age linearly (P < 0.05), but no effects were detected thereafter. Oat hulls inclusion increased ADFI and impaired FCR (P < 0.05) from 0 to 5 wk of age but did not affect energy efficiency at any age. At 5 wk of age, the relative weight (% BW) of the GIT decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increases in EW and increased with OH inclusion (P < 0.05). Oat hulls inclusion increased the relative weight of the gizzard at all ages (P < 0.01). In conclusion, egg weight did not affect pullet growth from hatch to 16 wk of age. Independent of the initial BW of the pullets, OH inclusion improved gizzard development at all ages without affecting growth performance.

Effect of egg mass of the white italian goose on fertilisation, loss of weight during the incubation period, hatchability and gosling quality

The main purpose of the study was to determine the effect of egg mass and egg weight groups (group I eggs under 160 g, group II egg mass 160 g to 180 g and group III eggs over 180 g) on incubation results, loss of egg weight (moist) during incubation, gosling hatchability and the relative share of the gosling in the egg mass. Eggs with mass between 160 g and 180 g (group II) demonstrated the highest fertilisation rate (91.28 %) and the highest hatchability out of the number of incubated eggs (83.14 %), while the eggs from the group I (lighter than 160 g) showed the highest number of gosling hatchability out of the number of fertilised eggs (91.08 %). The lowest embryo mortality was that of the group I (5.17 % and 6.06 %), while the highest is reported for the group III (14.29 % and 16.67 %). The lowest relative loss of egg mass (moist) by day 25 of the incubation period was established for the group I eggs (10.98 %), and the highest for the group III (11.71 %), with a statistically significant (P Lass Than 0.01) difference of -0.73 %. Other differences were not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05). Gosling percentage in the egg mass was significantly higher (P Lass Than 0.001) in the group III of incubated eggs (67.81 %) than in the group II (66.61 %) and the group I (65.24 %).

Effects of egg weight and in ovo injection of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;α&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;-tocopherol on chick development, hatching performance, and lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations in quail chick tissues

Abstract. Lipid-soluble antioxidants can be more effective for chick development when provided via in ovo (IO) injection than when supplemented to the maternal diet. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of egg weight (EW) and IO injection of α-tocopherol on chick development, hatching performance and lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations in residual yolk sac (RYS), liver and brain tissues of quail chicks. Eggs were obtained from quail breeders at days 72 and 128 of age and incubated at 37.8 ∘C and 60 % relative humidity. Each egg was numbered and weighed prior to incubation, and the average EW of all eggs was 11.76 ± 0.05 g. The eggs were divided into light (&lt; 11.76 EW; EWL) and heavy (&gt; 11.76 EW; EWH) groups (148 eggs per EW). Each EW group was divided into two IO groups: the control (non-injection) group and α-tocopherol group, in which 3.75 mg of α-tocopherol per egg was injected into the yolk sac followed by a 120 h incubation period. There were 64 eggs for each EW–IO treatment combination (16 eggs per EW per tray). The chick and RYS weights were significantly lower in the EWL group than in the EWH group. A significant EW by IO interaction suggested that IO increased the eggshell temperature of light quail eggs. The non-injected light eggs had a shorter hatching time due to the interaction of EW with IO. Hatchability, embryonic mortalities, and the cumulative hatching rate were not affected by EW or IO. The chick and middle toe lengths increased following IO administration (P &lt; 0.05), which indicated that IO administration had positive effects on chick quality. However, shank length decreased following IO administration with an unchanged relative asymmetry (RA). IO significantly affected the absolute weights of the liver and heart and the relative weight of the heart, which was lower in the α-tocopherol group than in the control group. IO administration had no effect on total retinol and carotenoid concentrations in the RYS, liver and brain. Vitamin E, α-tocopherol and δ-tocopherol concentrations in the RYS, liver and brain were significantly higher in the α-tocopherol-treated chicks than in the control chicks. The highest brain α-tocopherol concentration was found in the α-tocopherol-treated chicks of the EWH group, indicating a significant interaction between EW and IO. The highest total lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations were obtained following IO α-tocopherol treatment (P &lt; 0.05), in the order brain &lt; liver &lt; RYS, but this pattern was not observed with δ-tocopherol. In conclusion, IO injection of α-tocopherol into the yolk sac affected the concentrations of tissue-specific lipid-soluble antioxidants in the RYS and tissues of newly hatched quail chicks, and EW had effects on various parameters.

Comparison of hatching egg characteristics, embryo development, yolk absorption, hatch window, and hatchability of Pekin Duck eggs of different weights

This study was carried out to determine the hatching egg characteristics, embryo development and yolk absorption during incubation, hatch window, and hatchability of Pekin duck eggs of different weights. A total of 960 hatching eggs was obtained from a breeder flock 35 to 36 wk of age. The eggs were classed into 3 weight categories: "light" (L; <75g), "medium" (M; 76 to 82g), and "heavy" (H; >83g). The albumen weight was the highest in the heavy eggs, whereas the yolk weight was higher in the medium and heavy eggs. Egg breaking strength was the highest with a value of 2.5kg/cm2 in light eggs, whereas the thinnest eggshell (0.3862mm) was observed in heavy eggs. pH of albumen and yolk was similar and ranged from 8.8 to 8.9 and 5.9 to 6.0, respectively. On d 14 of incubation, yolk sac weight was found higher in the medium and heavy eggs. Additionally, the dry matter of the embryo and yolk sac differed among the egg weight groups during the incubation period. Interestingly, on d 25 of incubation, the embryo weight was higher in the light and heavy eggs (35.2 and 36.3g, respectively) than in the medium eggs (29.8g). These findings showed that embryo growth was affected by yolk absorption and dry matter accumulation. The hatchability of total and fertile eggs was lower for the heavy eggs than the light and medium eggs. The chick weight was 42.8, 48.4, and 54.9g in light, medium, and heavy eggs, respectively. A percentage of 34.2, 36, and 31.6% of chicks from light, medium, and heavy eggs, hatched between 637 and 648 h, 39.6, 36.2, and 32.9% between 649 and 660 h, 26.2, 27.8, and 35.5% between 661 and 672 h of incubation, respectively. In conclusion, hatching egg quality, embryo development and yolk absorption during incubation, hatch window, and hatchability were affected by egg weight in Pekin ducks.

Effect of egg weight on external and internal egg quality traits of Isa Brown egg layer chickens in Nigeria

This study was designed to determine the effect of egg weight on internal and external egg quality characteristics of Isa brown egg layer chickens. A total number of 105 eggs collected within 24 hours of lay were used for the study. Eggs were numbered, weighed and classified into three egg weight groups: Light (less than 49.99 g), medium (50 to 55 g) and heavy (greater than 55 g) egg weight groups. Data were collected on internal egg quality characteristics (yolk height, albumen height, albumen length, albumen width, Haugh unit, yolk index, albumen index and yolk diameter) and external egg quality characteristics (egg length, egg width, oblong circumference, egg shell weight, egg shape index and egg shell thickness). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Egg weight had significant (P 0.05) affect Haugh Unit, yolk index, albumen index, and albumen length of the three egg weight groups. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed among the light, medium and heavy egg weight groups in terms of yolk height, yolk diameter, and albumen height and albumen width. Positive correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between egg weight and egg length, egg width, oblong circumference, eggshell weight and eggshell thickness. Egg weight also correlated positively (P < 0.05) with yolk height, yolk diameter, albumen height and width.

Effect of Egg Weights on Hatching Results, Broiler Performance and Some Stress Parameters

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of hatching egg weight of broiler parent stocks on hatching results, chick performance, carcass characteristics, internal organ weights and some blood stress parameters. Eggs were divided into 3 egg weight groups (55.0 to 60.0 g (light), 60.1 to 65.0 g (medium) and 65.1 to 70.0 g (heavy)) for the experiments. After incubation, mixed-gender broiler chicks from the hatcher were placed into 27 grower pens (2x1 m) with 9 replications for 3 weight groups by using randomized block design. Each pen had 25 broiler chicks. Therefore, 225 chicks were used for each group and 675 chicks in total. The experiment was designed with nine replicates. Chi-square test, variance analysis test and Duncan multiple range test were used during statistical analysis. Hatching egg weight significantly affected egg shell thickness (p=0.042), egg weight loss on 18th day of incubation (p<0.001), number of healthy chick (p=0.001) and deformed chicks (p=0.003), hatchability (p=0.003), hatchability yield (p=0.002), hatching weight and 7 day chick body weight (p=0.001), fresh carcass yields (p=0.002), and cooled carcass yields (p<0.001), blood triglyceride level (p=0.031), back toe relative asymmetry (p=0.032) and back toe fluctuating asymmetry (p=0.038). It was concluded in the present study that medium-weight eggs yielded better hatching results and the chicks of medium-weight eggs also yielded better outcomes with regards to other investigated parameters.

Assessment of pre and post-incubation parameters in Uttara breeder hens

A study was conducted to determine the effects of pre-incubation egg parameters on post-incubation parameters in Uttara breeder hens. A total of 2,890 hatching eggs were classified according to three egg weight groups viz. small (44-52 g); medium (53-57 g) and large (58-68 g). Results indicated that large-sized eggs produced chicks with higher hatch-weight than medium and small-sized eggs. However, no differences were observed for fertility and hatchability rates but significant differences were found for chick quality and chick weight. It was therefore concluded from the results of the present study that sorting of eggs by weight prior to incubation might be advantageous in producing uniform size hatchlings to meet specific market demands with focus on breeding for obtaining maximum number of saleable chicks.

Sex Predetermination in Fowl Using some Egg Parameters in North Central Nigeria

Chicken egg is a miracle of creation which comes in different sizes, shapes and colours with the ability to hatch young chicks. In any poultry venture, the hatched chick sex ratio is paramount in attaining maximum profitability. Unfortunately, the most popular technique of chick sexing is the Japanese vent examination technique that requires specialist and high-tech facilities that may increase cost of production. Therefore, in a quest to develop a less ambiguous technique, egg parameters were studied to predetermine sex in fowl prior to hatching. A total of 450 freshly laid fertilized eggs were distributed into egg colour, weight and shape treatment groups accordingly. Data on egg hatchability, hatched chicks weight and male to female sex ratio were collected. Results indicated that 50g egg weight hatched 7 cockerels: 13 pullets ratio, 55g eggs (21 cockerels: 22 pullets), 60g eggs (5 cockerels: 3 pullets), Conical eggs (37 cockerels: 14 pullets) and Oval eggs hatched 19 cockerels: 45 pullets. Other parameters measured were White egg colour (5 cockerels: 3 pullets), Silvery Brown eggs (13 cockerels: 17 pullets), while the only Spotted Black egg hatched a pullet. Since the treatment groups hatched both sexes, egg parameters may be a more ambiguous method in fowl chick sex predetermination.

Predetermination of Quail Chick Sex Using Egg Indices in North Central Nigeria

Japanese quails are still in the domestication process in Nigeria and it has been observed that while in the cage they do not sit on their eggs in order to hatch them. Separation of the males and females such that the recommended ratio is kept in coveys is necessary for profit maximization. Presently, sexing in quails is only possible at post hatching stage even with the most popular Japanese vent examination technique. Besides, these techniques may be inaccurate, require expertise, facilities and may not be affordable by many Nigerian farmers. In this study therefore, egg colour, weight and shape were evaluated to predetermine quail chick sex. A total of 540 quail fertile eggs were distributed among the egg colour, weight and shape treatment groups. The data collected on male to female ratio indicated that the only 3 hatched chicks in 8g eggs treatment group were all female chicks. Eggs that weighed 9g hatched 4:5 male to female ratio, 10g eggs (2:3), 11g eggs (1:2), Round eggs (1:2), Oval eggs (15:23) and none of the Spherical eggs hatched. Others were Sienna egg colour that hatched 4:9 male to female ratio, Rich Brown eggs (3:7) and Chocolate (7:13). It was observed that all the treatment groups hatched both sexes though in a non uniform pattern. Thus, it may probably not be achievable to predetermine quail chick sex at pre-hatching stage using egg indices.

Effects of egg weight on egg quality traits in partridge (Alectoris Chukar)

In this study, the aim was to determine the internal and external quality traits of partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs as well as the Pearson correlation coefficients among these traits. For use in this research, a total of 200 partridge eggs were collected over three sequential days. The partridges were housed at the Research Unit of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Akdeniz. The eggs were categorized according to weight and classified as ≤19.0 g, 19.1–20.0 g, 20.1–21.0 g and ≥21.1 g. Average eggshell thickness was highest in groups of 20.1–21.0 g and ≥21.1 g. In contrast, lowest eggshell weight was calculated in groups of ≤19.0 g and 19.1–20.0 g. In this study, egg shape index, yolk index, Haugh unit, albumen width and unit surface shell weight were not significantly affected by egg weight groups. Whereas egg length, egg width, shell weight, shell thickness, shell surface area, egg volume, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width, yolk ratio, albumen height, albumen length, albumen weight, albumen index, albumen ratio and yolk/albumen ratio were significantly affected by egg weight groups. At the same time, there was found a significant relationship amongst the internal and external egg quality traits.

Effect of egg weight on hatching characteristics of emu eggs

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of egg weight on hatchability traits in emu (Dromiceius novaehollandiae) eggs. Emu eggs (393) that hatched from 3 different egg weight groups (below 500 g (G 1), 501 to 600 g (G 2) and above 601 g (G 3)) were used in the experiment. Hatching traits such as percentage of infertile eggs, early embryonic mortality, late embryonic mortality, dead-in-shell, chicks hatched out, total egg hatchability, fertile egg hatchability, fertility and chick livability were investigated. The mean±SE percentage of early embryonic mortality, late embryonic mortality, dead-in-shell, chicks hatched out, total egg hatchability, fertile egg hatchability, fertility and chick livability were statistically significant for different egg weight groups. The better hatching traits and livability of chicks were obtained from the medium emu eggs weighed between 501 and 600 g then the heavy (above 601 g) and small (below 500 g) egg weight groups.

Effect of Egg Weight on Hatchability and Chick Hatch-weight of COBB 500 Broiler Chickens

This study was conducted to determine the effect of egg weight on hatchability and chick hatch-weight of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A total of 396 Cobb 500 hatchable eggs classified according to three different egg weight groups as small: (<49 g) medium: (50-59 g) and large: (60-69 g) were used in the experiment. A complete randomized design of three treatments with three replicates and each replicate having” 44 eggs was used for the experiment. Simultaneously a linear type equation was used to determine the relationship between egg size and responses in hatchability values and chick hatch-weight. Results indicated that large-sized eggs produced chicks with higher (P<0.05) hatch-weight than medium and small-sized eggs. However, no differences were detected with fertility rate percentage, hatchability percentage and percentage hatch of fertile. It was therefore concluded from the result of the present study that sorting of Cobb 500 broiler chicken breeder eggs by weight prior to incubation might be advantageous in producing uniform size Cobb 500 broiler chicken hatchlings to meet specific market demands with improved efficiency.

Effect of egg weight on hatchability and hatchling weight in Fayoumi, Desi and crossbred (Rhode Island Red X Fayoumi) chickens

Aim: An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of egg weight on hatchability, embryonic deaths and hatchling weight of three rural breeds (Fayoumi, Desi and crossbred (Rhode Island Red X Fayoumi) chickens. Materials and Methods: Three different egg weight groups classified into small: ( 45g) were used in the experiment. A complete randomized design was used for the experiment. Simultaneously quadratic type equation was used to determine the egg weight for optimum hatchability and hatchling weight. Results: Percentage hatchability of medium-sized eggs was higher (P < 0.05) than those in large sized eggs. Similarly, large–sized eggs had higher (P < 0.05) percentage hatchability than small sized eggs in all breeds. Hatchability percentage changed by ratio 0.4077 with one unit change in mean egg weight of Fayoumi. The hatchability changed by ratio 0.5488 with one unit change in egg weight of Desi. The hatchability changed by ratio 0.3767 with one unit change in egg weight of crossbred chickens. Mean hatchling weight in Fayoumi eggs changed by ratio of 0.6760; Desi eggs by ratio of 0.5955 and crossbred chicken eggs by ratio of 1.3613 with one unit change in mean egg weight. The overall mean hatchling weight as percentage of mean egg weight in case of Fayoumi was 67.10, in Desi 62.42 and 68.36 in case of cross birds. There was no evidence that hatchabilitypercentage increased with increase in egg weight in all the three strains of birds. Small-sized eggs had higher (P<0.05) embryonic deaths than those of medium and large-sized eggs in three breeds. Hatchling weight from large eggs were (P < 0.05) higher than those of small eggs in three breeds. Mean hatchling weight of Fayoumi changed by ratio 0.676 with one unit change in mean egg weight. In case of Desi chickens, mean hatchling weight changed by ratio 0.5955 with one unit change in egg weight. In case of crossbred chicken, mean hatchling weight changed by ratio 1.3613 with one unit change in egg. Conclusion: This study revealed that medium sized eggs were more appropriate for better hatchability percentage and lower embryonic deaths in three rural breeds. However, large sized eggs were suitable for better hatchling weight.

Effects of hen production cycle and egg weight on egg quality and composition, hatchability, duckling quality, and first-week body weight in Pekin ducks

This study was conducted to determine the effect of hen production cycle (HPC) and the effect of egg weight (EW) at the same egg production level on egg quality, egg composition, hatchability, duckling quality, and first-week BW in Pekin ducks. For HPC, hatching eggs were obtained from different Pekin-duck breeder flocks, aged 31 wk for the first production cycle (HPC1) and 78 wk for the second production cycle (HPC2). For EW, there were 3 categories: heavy (H), medium (M), and light (L). Ten eggs from each HPC and EW group were analyzed for the determination of egg quality, and albumen and yolk compositions. Ninety eggs from each HPC and EW group were incubated for the determination of hatchability, and duckling weight and quality. After quality scoring, 20 ducklings (10 male and 10 female) from each group were weighed, and reared to 1 wk of age in a brooder machine to determine relative growth (RG). The results showed that the albumen index; Haugh unit; shell percentage; yolk moisture, ash, protein, lipids, and triglycerides; albumen moisture, ash, and protein; yolk fatty acid contents; hatching weight; duckling weights at 1 wk of age; and RG were significantly affected by HPC. Egg weight affected shell thickness, yolk and albumen indices, Haugh unit, yolk and albumen percentages, yolk to albumen ratio, shell percentage, yolk fatty acid content, hatching weight, duckling weight at 1 wk of age, and RG.