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Effect of the Traditional Parched Rice Husk Incubation Techniques on the Hatchability of Duck Eggs

M. Khalequzzaman
Department of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi

Shah Hussain Ahmad Mahdi
Department of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi

M. Mahbur Rahman
Department of Zoology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was carried out to know the seasonal effect on the hatchability of duck eggs in five private poultry farms at Gaibandha, Bangladesh. Eggs were set in artificial hatching bamboo made cylinders from different number of ducklings. Present observation revealed that the hatchability of duck eggs is highest in March (88.966 ± 2.11) and in June it is lowest (66.398 ± 0.63). In June the highest unfertilized eggs (25.532 ± 1.22) have been recorded followed by March (4.822 ± 0.68), January (10.164 ± 0.12), April (10.408 ± 0.31) and May (13.250 ± 1.37). The loss eggs were recorded highest in January (21.244 ± 1.36) and the lowest in March (4.874 ± 2.05). Least-square analysis of variance showed that individual months had significant effects on the hatchability of duck eggs.

Keywords: Duck egg, Incubation, Hhatching

Location: Gaibandha

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Duck

Objectives:

The incubation generally performed from January to June. No study so far been done their performance, particularly on the hatchability of duck eggs and as such the present study was carried out.

Methodology:

The present study was carried out in six private duck farms at Gaibandha, Bangladesh, where traditionally huge duck eggs are incubated artificially. The farms were selected at random including small, medium and large ones. Those farms also supply ducklings to the farmers once a week. The farms used to hatch ducklings from January to June. From late July to December they remain closed because during that period the air temperature drops and not suitable for artificial hatching of the eggs. The birds were reared in intensive system. The birds were kept in floor and large spacious shed surrounded by wire mesh/bamboo made sheets. Open space and water area were provided. Birds were fed outside the houses and the feed was allotted at the rate of 130-160 gm per head twice a day. Cleaning and sanitary programmes were followed regularly. Ducks were vaccinated with duck plague vaccine. In breeding flock one male duck was provided for every five females. Flock wise eggs were collected and graded for hatching purposes. Good quality clean eggs were collected for hatching purposes avoiding cracked ones. The eggs were stored with the narrower end pointed downward. This rice-husk system was adopted on a large scale in Bangladesh after being introduced by poultry development projects in the 1980s. The system has evolved, and the cylindrical egg baskets are now set into larger bamboo frame setting boxes, with more insulating rice husk material placed between the cylinders and the walls of the enclosing setting boxes. Eggs (45-50) were packed in black cloth and kept within the preheated (by 100 w electric bulb) for one hour. Thus each cylinder contained 450-500 eggs. For the first three days, reheated paddy rice husk is added three times a day at regular intervals. During days four to six, this may be reduced to twice a day. The object is to ensure that the eggs are kept at the temperature most suitable for embryo development. The spare basket is used to transfer eggs from an adjoining basket while adding freshly warmed rice or rice-husks. Thus the top layer of eggs becomes the bottom layer and the bottom layer ends up on top of the spare cylinder. The newly emptied basket is then ready to receive eggs from the third basket, and so the cycle continues.The eggs were candled on days 5 and 13, both to identify infertile eggs and dead embryos and to assess the degree of embryo development; which is used as one of the guides in adjusting basket temperature. The covering for the developing eggs in the bed may be heavy or light cloth, depending on the degree of insulation required. The temperature in the hatching bed is maintained at 36 to 37°C, slightly lower than that of the basket. The temperature can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the covering, varying the space between the eggs, and moving the eggs twice a day so that those on the perimeter change places with those at the centre. In very hot dry weather, the eggs are sprayed with a fine mist of water. They are kept in the bed until the chicks hatch out and dry.

Source of Information: Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 25, 2006. pp. 37-40

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

A part of the researchers recommended different temperatures in the incubator depending on the period of embryonic development. The researchers in that area support the idea of one and the same temperature until the transfer of the eggs for hatching. (78.0±1.03%) than in summer (46.5±3.01%). Some wild species incubate and hatch their eggs at 29.4 to 32.2 C. For example, Ruddy duck eggs hatch with little or no external heat except for a few days of initial incubation at higher temperature. High incubation temperature results in embryonic mortality, particularly when there was high temperature during the last part of incubation period. High humidity also had a tendency to delay hatch and reduce hatchability. As subnormal incubation temperature causes late hatching and poor hatchability. The fertility and rate of hatchability of eggs produced in summer and early spring was low. The effect of season on hatchability of duck eggs implies that March was the best for hatching of duck eggs, because of low rainfall and suitable room temperature. In conclusion, since the seasonal effect on hatchability is prominent, effort should be taken for more duckling production at that particular season to meet the increasing demand of ducklings in the region.

Knowledge Management: Journal