World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

THE EFFECT OF EGG HOLDING TIME ON HATCHABILITY OF FAYOUMI CHICKENS UNDER DEBRE ZEIT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER

Shibabaw Bejano*, Wendimu Bireda, Gebeyehu Goshu and Womdmeneh Esatu

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to investigate the of effect of egg holding time on hatchability of the Fayoumi breeds at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research center poultry farm .For this study a total of 1442 hatching eggs were incubated for 21 days in three different treatment groups for egg holding period of < 7, 7- 14 and >14 days respectively. The eggs were randomly collected, incubated and the data on egg weight, fertility, hatchability and embryonic mortality were analyzed by the General Linear Model procedures. Means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Weight loss egg for holding periods of < 7, 7- 14 and > 14 days were 10.7 % 12.1% and 15.5%, respectively. Hatchability of total and fertile eggs was decreased in a time dependant manner with increased length of storage. Hatchability per total eggs and hatchability per fertile eggs were 79.7%, 76.7%, 37.0% and 88.7%, 86.0% and 46% with the holding period of < 7, 7- 14 and >14 days, respectively(significance). Highest embryonic mortality (11.7%) for storage period of above 14 days and lowest (0.5%) for storage period of less than 7 days were observed in late and middle embryonic mortality respectively. It was recommended than to improve fertility and hatchability eggs should be handled properly collected as frequent as possible, cleaned, disinfected and incubated. Better fertility and hatchability could be achieved if the holding periods of eggs are less than seven days.

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