2. Higher rates of fertility and hatchability of Japanese quail eggs were observed from parents of 10 to 19 weeks of age, with peak fertility and hatchability at 14 and 12 weeks of age, respectively.
3. Sex ratios of 1:2 to 1:5 gave comparable fertility and hatchability results.
4. The hatching performance of quail eggs from cage and deep litter reared breeders was comparable.
5. Fertility and hatchability were directly proportional to the egg weight.
6. Quail egg shell colour, tints and blotches were found to influence hatching performance.
7. Storing quail eggs at 16 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity for more than 4 d reduced hatchability.
8. Hatchability of eggs stored at room temperature was improved if they were sealed in polyethylene bags.
9. Provision of light during the first 14 d of incubation resulted in a photo‐acceleration of about 3.2 h. 相似文献
2. These eggs were stored at room temperature (27°C‐31°C) or in an air‐conditioned room (20°C‐23°C), for two, three, six or seven days and incubated in four replicate hatches.
3. Eggs kept SEU improved hatchability even for short‐term storage when temperatures were high.
4. Simple air‐conditioning can reduce the temperature sufficiently for the viability of the embryo to be preserved for up to a week. 相似文献
2. Comparisons of holding temperatures (18 and 30°C) for 24 h after egg collection, in combination with a storage time of 0 or 7 d at 18°C prior to incubation, were made using the criteria: embryo development (stage), and size at 0, 3, 6 and 9 d incubation, EEM, late embryonic mortality (LEM) and hatchability (HAT).
3. Stage of development of embryos, at 0 d incubation, was highest for eggs held for 24 h at 30°C and stored for 7 d. Embryo stage, weight and length at 3, 6 and 9 d incubation were positively correlated.
4. Hatchability of fertile eggs was lowest (66.5%) for eggs held for 24 h at 30°C and stored for 7 d and highest (87.2%) for eggs held for 24 h at 18°C and stored for 0 d. Holding temperature and storage time significantly influenced EEM and LEM.
5. EEM classification differed for strain of breeder. In broiler breeders the majority of the EEM was at a relatively late stage of development (exhibiting an obvious blood ring with a visible embryo). In comparison, EEM from table egg breeders was distributed equally among three categories. 相似文献
2. Discolouration prevention methods included treating the meal with ferrous sulphate heptahydrate (FSH), in solution or as crystals, at a 4:1 weight ratio of iron to free gossypol (experiment 1), and reducing its residual lipid (CSL) content to 4.2 g/kg by hexane extraction (experiment 2).
3. In freshly laid eggs, no discolouration was observed when hens were fed a CSM‐based diet containing 250 mg free gossypol/kg and 87 mg CPFA/kg in experiment 1, but slightly brown yolks were produced in experiment 2.
4. Storage of the eggs at 22°C led to yolk mottling, an effect believed to be the initial stages of the brown yolk discolouration.
5. Storage of the eggs at 5°C resulted in enhancement of the brown yolk discolouration, apricot discolouration on surfaces of most yolks and pink albumen discolouration. These effects were prevented when the CSM was extracted with hexane. Apricot yolk and pink albumen discolourations were also produced when hens were fed a non‐CSM diet containing crude CSL at 20.5 g/kg.
6. Dietary CSL increased egg fat saturation, altering the ratios of stearic to oleic, palmitic to palmitoleic and heptadecanoic to hepta‐decenoic fatty acids.
7. Treatment of CSM with FSH reduced the slight brown yolk discolouration in fresh eggs (experiment 2) and the yolk mottling in warm‐stored eggs. Both in solution and as crystals, FSH prevented the enhancement of brown yolk discolouration in cold‐stored eggs, leaving most eggs with apricot yolk and pink albumen discolourations.
8. Treatment of CSM and CSL with FSH reduced the CPFA‐related effects on yolk fat saturation, and the colour and pH changes in cold‐stored eggs.
9. Exposure of yolks to ammonia vapour provided a useful test to predict the development of the gossypol‐related brown discolouration in stored eggs. 相似文献
2. This was not due entirely to a delay in the initiation of embryonic development; the rate of development during the first 2 d of incubation was significantly lower in eggs stored for 14 d than in non‐stored eggs.
3. There was no correlation between the developmental age of an embryo after any specified incubation time and either the original weight of the egg or the weight loss during storage.
4. The incidence of dead and malformed embryos increased progressively with the duration of storage. 相似文献
2. Oiling slowed the decline in albumen height (Haugh units) to that which occurred in unoiled eggs stored at 12 °C.
3. Oiling slowed the increase in albumen pH equally at 28 and 12 °C.
4. Oiling markedly decreased the weight loss of eggs stored at either temperature.
5. Oiling and temperature of storage were without effect on the whipping volumes of either albumen or unseparated albumen and yolk. 相似文献
2. Total duration of incubation was divided into setter (0 to 24 days) and hatcher (25 to 28 days) periods. Eggs transferred at the end of the setter period, (ET, % of fertile eggs) and hatching rate (HR, % of transferred eggs) were calculated, as well as the total hatching rate expressed as percentage of fertile eggs.
3. In the range 36 to 39°C, temperature affected significantly (P< 0.001) ET and HR, with optima at 37.2 and 37.0°C ± 0.1°C respectively.
4. During incubating period, relative humidity in the range 40 to 64% (water vapour partial pressure, Ph2o = 17 to 34 Torr at 36 to 39°C), significantly (P< 0.001) affected the total diffusive water loss and hatchling mass, both expressed as percentage of fresh egg mass. ET was significantly affected by water loss, the highest ET being for water loss of 13.3 ± 0.5%. Optimal relative humidity was calculated to be 48 to 52% (Ph2o = 23 to 25 Torr at 37.2°G).
5. The rate of inflowing air significantly (P< 0.001) affected HR, with an optimum at 3.1 Lstpd/(h . egg).
6. The age of the laying flock significantly (P< 0.001) increased water loss; this was explained by a parallel increase of the mass specific shell conductance to water vapour.
7. Finally optimum incubation conditions were deduced, giving total hatching rates of 78 to 81% of fertile eggs, improving by 5 to 8% the best results obtained routinely in commercial practice. 相似文献
The aim of this experiment was to determine the profit returned at 12 weeks by broiler chickens hatched from eggs ranging in weight from 44 g. to 58 g. at one gram intervals and to determine how competitive and separate rearing might modify the relationship.
A total of 6000 eggs were collected during 10 days from a 28‐week‐old, broiler breeding flock and graded into the above mentioned egg weight classes. From these, a total of 3480 day‐old broilers were housed. Each egg weight class was equally represented and balanced for sex.
Hatchability and fertility showed no consistent trend with egg weight for eggs above 46 g., but below the 47 g. level there was a trend of declining fertility and hatchability.
A strong positive relationship was found between the weight of the chick at 1 day of age and egg weight for both males and females with no significant difference overall in body weight between the two sexes.
Body weight to 12 weeks was found to be strongly related to egg weight, in a linear fashion, though this influence declined with age.
There was a greater influence of egg weight on body weight at all ages in the separate rearing treatment compared with competitive rearing but this was not significant after 10 weeks.
Egg weight had an important bearing on body weight and profit at 12 weeks, but no effect on food conversion or mortality.
The increased profit over food costs per 100 day‐old chicks was found to be 52.75 cents for the separately reared birds respectively for each 3 g. increase in egg weight. 相似文献
2. The production of double‐yolked eggs/100 hen d, high during the initial weeks of lay, rapidly declined and disappeared by 30 weeks of age.
3. The frequencies of broken, membranous and soft‐shelled eggs were significantly correlated with each other and with the frequency of multiple daily ovulations indicating a common aetiology for these defective egg types.
4. Double‐yolked eggs were produced by the heavier, earlier‐maturing pullets in the population.
5. Normal egg production in dwarf White Leghorns may be enhanced by reducing the incidence of defective eggs. 相似文献
2. Eggs laid between 05.00 and 11.00 h had higher fertility than eggs laid between 11.00 and 17.00 h.
3. Hatchability of fertile eggs was highest in eggs laid between 05.00 and 08.00 h. Hatchability decreased progressively for eggs laid later in the day.
4. It may be more economic to use eggs laid from 14.00 to 17.00 h as table eggs rather than hatching eggs. 相似文献
2. Hatchability was only 37.2% and the result of high rates of infertility and contamination (22.2% and 22.8% respectively); it varied between eggs from different farms.
3. Embryonic mortality was high at the start and end of incubation, a pattern similar to that of other domestic birds.
4. Mortality of late stage embryos was related to percentage water loss and mass specific water vapour conductance of the shell, with extremes of the ranges causing the highest mortality.
5. Microbial contamination of the eggs was a significant problem and varied in eggs from different farms indicating that more attention is needed in both breeder bird and nest management. 相似文献
2. Almost 20 different genotypes (brands) were present on the farms. In France, all birds were brown feathered hens laying brown eggs. In Switzerland and The Netherlands, there were brown, white (white feathered hens laying white eggs) and silver (white feathered hens laying brown eggs) hens. In Switzerland, mixed flocks were also present.
3. The overall effect of system (organic vs. conventional free range) on egg production and mortality was significant, with higher mortality and lower egg production among organic hens. In pair wise comparisons within country, the difference was highly significant in The Netherlands, and showed a non-significant tendency in the same direction in Switzerland and France.
4. White hens tended to perform better than brown hens. Silver hens appeared to have a higher mortality and lower production per hen housed at 60 weeks of age.
5. There were no significant relationships between production, mortality, feather condition and use of outside run or with flock size.
6. There was more variation in mortality and egg production among farms with a small flock size than among farms with a large flock size. 相似文献
2. A total of 3,000 fertile eggs from broiler breeders (Cobb®) were randomly divided into three incubation treatments: no ascorbic acid injection and egg incubation at 37.5°C (control); no ascorbic acid injection and egg incubation at 39°C; in ovo ascorbic acid injection prior to incubation (6 µg AA/100 µl water) and egg incubation at 39°C.
3. Male chicks hatched from the three incubation treatments were submitted to three distinct rearing temperatures (control, cold and hot) from the third week of age onwards (540 chicks were divided into 6 treatments with 5 replicates per treatment).
4. Measurements at 42 d showed that, after egg incubation at 39°C, the haematocrit, haemoglobin values, ionised calcium and glucose concentrations were increased and base excess values were reduced. However, in ovo injection of ascorbic acid normalised all these parameters.
5. Partial CO2 and O2 pressure were higher with increased rearing temperature. Blood pH was lower when eggs were incubated at 39°C and injected with ascorbic acid. In ovo injection of ascorbic acid induced leucocytosis due to lymphocytosis and heterophilia, restored basophils rate and led to monocytopoenia. Leucocytosis was triggered by hot rearing temperature due to lymphocytosis, eosinophilia and heterophilia.
6. The results obtained in this study showed that in ovo injection of ascorbic acid before incubation may serve as a long-term stimulator and modulator of the broiler immune system, and that high incubation temperatures induce adaptations in the electrolytic balance, minimising or avoiding the occurrence of respiratory alkalosis under hot rearing temperature. 相似文献
2. The first (control) group was given the basal diet without Se supplementation, whereas the second, third and fourth groups were given, respectively, the basal diet with 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic Se in the form of sodium selenite or 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg of organic Se in the form of Se enriched yeast (Se-yeast).
3. The experiment was carried out for 10 weeks to compare and evaluate the influence of Se supplementation on breeder performance, egg production, hatchability and the quality of eggs. Samples were collected for analysis at weeks 0, 5 and 10 of the experimental period.
4. At the end of the experiment (39 weeks), there was a reduction in mortality in breeders given diets supplemented with 0.5 mg/kg of Se-yeast. Supplementation of feed with 0.5 mg/kg organic Se increased egg production, percentage of settable eggs and hatchability.
5. Selenium supplementation increased egg weight and specific gravity compared to the control diet. However, no significant variation was found in albumen or yolk protein content at the end of week 10.
6. Selenium accumulation and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity were lower in the egg albumen and yolk of control compared with Se-supplemented treatments. Se accumulation and GSHPx activity were higher in the group given 0.3 mg/kg organic compared to 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic Se.
7. The results favour the use of Se-yeast at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg in broiler breeder diets for better productivity of eggs, settable eggs, hatchability and higher Se accumulation and antioxidant status in eggs. 相似文献
2. 18% to 21% of eggs in each batch were contaminated with bacteria and fungi, with the latter being found more often in eggs which contained more advanced embryos.
3. Although infertility and prolonged storage reduced hatchability, the high inci dence of microbial contamination in ostrich eggs is deemed to be a significant problem.
4. Improving nest hygiene is considered to be the simplest way to reduce microbial spoilage. 相似文献
The lower incubation temperature resulted in a longer incubation period. Female embryos utilised the energy of the egg better than males.
A possible difference in the relationship between the post‐hatching development of males and females and pre‐hatching environmental conditions was indicated by a higher viability at 14 d and a higher body weight after 12 weeks of cocks incubated at 36.8 °C. There were significant effects of sex on food conversion efficiency. Results suggest that pre‐hatching temperatures may influence post‐hatching energy utilisation. 相似文献
2. Over the first 10 generations with selection almost exclusively for number of eggs to the age of 273 d, all traits, except rate of mortality, showed significant changes. Regressions per year were: 273 d production, 3.07 eggs; 497 d production, 5.18 eggs; production from 274 to 497 d, 2.43 eggs; age at first egg, ‐2.33 d; mean weight of first 10 eggs, ‐0.82 g; body weight at 497 d, ‐19.02 g and rate of mortality, 0.19%.
3. Over the rest of the period increasing selection pressure for egg weight has been applied. This resulted in positive changes for this trait and no or small negative changes in egg number.
4. In general, heritabilities and genetic correlations did not change over the period of selection. The heritability of the main trait of selection, production to 273 d was 0.19 ± 0.04 and heritabilities of egg size traits about 0.50.
5. The genetic correlation between egg production to 273 d and mean weight of first 10 eggs was estimated as ‐0.37 ± 0.06 but from the observed response a realised genetic correlation of ‐0.97 was calculated. 相似文献
2. Some of these embryos were injected with primordial germ cells (PGCs) after 55 h of incubation to attempt to repopulate the gonads.
3. Primordial germ cells transfected with a defective retrovirus containing the reporter gene lac Z were shown to settle in these sterilised gonads.
4. Quantitative histology of 6‐d embryos showed that busulphan produced 75% sterilisation but that PGCs could repopulate these gonads.
5. The technique of producing such germ line chimaeras is of value in studying cell kinetics, gonad differentiation and the production of transgenics. 相似文献
2. The decrease in hatchability that occurred on the high protein (27.0 g CP), low energy (1.52 MJ AME) allowance from 26 to 36 weeks of age was due to an increase in the percentage of dead embryos in the second week of incubation and an increase in the number of “pipped” eggs at the end of incubation.
3. The low hatchability of eggs from birds on the 1.88 MJ AME allowance from 37 to 64 weeks could be related to the incidence of deaths in the first 5 d of the incubation period.
4. Malformations and malpositions of the embryo were not affected by maternal energy or protein allowance. 相似文献