Effects of storage length on incubation results of ostrich eggs (Struthio camelus)

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of preincubation storage of ostrich eggs on hatchability, egg weight loss, length of incubation and chick weight at hatching. A total of 210 ostrich eggs were stored at 18 C for 10 days (1-2, 3-4. 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 d). The effects of storage length on hatchability of fertile eggs was found to be significant (P < 0.01). Hatchability declined with storage length, for maximum hatchability at less than 7 d of egg storage appears to be best. Hatchability of fertile eggs was determined as 71.4, 72.4, 70.4, 65.4 and 60.7% for the storage length groups, respectively. Early embryonic mortality rates (10.7, 10.3, 11.1, 15.4, 17.9%; P < 0.01) and late embryonic mortality rates (14.3, 13.8, 14.8, 15.4 and 17.9%; P < 0.01) were also found to be significant for the storage length groups, respectively. Egg weight loss increased with increased storage length (P < 0.05). Egg weight loss up to day 38 of incubation averaged 12.99% for eggs that hatched. The effects of storage length on chick weight at hatching and length of incubation was also found to be significant (P < 0.05). The chick weight tended to decline in relation with storage time up to 7 days. Chick weight at hatching averaged 66.8% and 65.0% of initial egg weight for the 1-2 to 9-10 d storage length, respectively.