Effect of long-term storage on the hatchability of red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) eggs.
The effect of 0-, 7-, 14-, 21-, 28-, and 35-d storage periods on hatchability and weight loss during storage and incubation of red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) eggs stored at 15 degrees C and 80% RH was studied. There was a significant effect of storage period on egg weight loss during storage (P<0.001), a significant increase occurring in weight loss for each additional week the eggs were stored, and this weight loss amounted to more than 3% for the eggs stored for 35 d. Storage period affected egg weight loss during incubation (P<0.05). An increase in egg weight loss during incubation occurred, increasing from 21 d of storage and amounting to more than 10% for the eggs stored for 35 d. Storage period had a significant effect on hatchability (P<0.05). Storage of red-legged partridge eggs up to 28 d does not affect subsequent hatchability, but a significant decline in hatchability occurs when the eggs are stored for 35 d. This research confirms, as occurs in other Alectoris species, that long-term storage of red-legged partridge eggs (to 28 d) does not have a negative effect on hatchability. These findings will be useful in terms of successful hatchery management, mainly by allowing prolonged storage of eggs while gathering a sufficient-sized batch to be incubated, and shipment of long shelf life hatching eggs at game farms while losing little hatchability until further incubation.
González-Redondo
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Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica Agrícola, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain. pedro@us.es
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology; D046094:Galliformes / Q000196:embryology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors