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Effect of Season on the Hatchability of Duck Eggs

M.M.I. Chowdhury
Biotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

A. Ashraf
Biotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

S.P. Mondal
Regional Duck Breeding Farm, Daulatpur, Khulna, Bangladesh.

N.M.A.A.M. Mondol
Biotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

M.M. Hasan
Biotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted in Regional Duck Breeding Farm, Daulatpur, Khulna, Bangladesh wit h a vie w to know the seasonal effect on the hatchability of duck eggs. The number of eggs set in the incubator and the number of eggs hatched was used to determine the hatchability percentage. Duck breeding farm practiced artificial incubation for hatching eggs. Data were collected from the record registers of the farm covering the year 1995 to 2002 and 5199928 eggs were set in incubator from 2789000 ducklings were hatched during the period. Data were analyzed using MSTAT-C Statistical Package Program. The result revealed that hatchability of duck eggs were highest in January (59.54%) and lowest in July (48.27%) in case of month wise hatchability whereas winter (57.676%) shows the highest followed by summer (54.135%) and monsoon or rainy season (49.134%). Least-square Analysis of Variance showed that both season an d individual months had significant effects on the hatchability of duck eggs. Therefore, it can be concluded that both individual month and season influenced the hatchability of duck eggs.

Keywords: Duck eggs, Hatchability, Seasonal effect

Location: Regional Duck Breeding Farm, Daulatpur, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-00-1995

End Date: 00-00-2002

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Egg

Objectives:

To determine the effects of season on the hatchability of duck eggs as well as to identify suitable season for hatching of eggs.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in Regional Duck Breeding Farm, Daulatpur, Khulna, Bangladesh. This farm wa s set up by Directorate of Livestock Services (DLS) in 1958 to pro duce outstanding ducks. These farms also supply ducklings to the farmers once per week. Data wer e collected from the record registers of the farm. The managerial condition of the farm during the observed period was uniform. Three different seasons were considered as summer (March-June), monsoon or rainy (July-October), and winter (November-February) for the experiment. An Assistant Director and a Poultry Development Officer are supervising the farm. The birds were reared in intensive system. The birds were kept in floor and large spacious shed surrounded by half wall in lower portion and ab ove it surrounded with wire mesh. Open space was provided for exercise. Feed was supplied in traft type feeder with sufficient feeding space. Clean drinking water was supplied in the channel. Birds were fe d outside of the house s and feed was allotted at the rate of 160 gm per head per day that was given twice a day .Water-soluble vitamin was added with feed mainly in winter season. Cleanliness and sanitary programs were followed regularly. Ducks were vaccinated with duck plague vaccine. The ducks were culled at regular interval, which were more than two years old. In breeding flock one male duck was provided for every six females. Flock wise eggs were collected and graded for hatching purposes. Good quality medium size and clean eggs were collected for hatching purposes avoiding cracked ones. Hatching eggs were stored in a cold-humid storage area. Ideal storage condition s included 55^oF temperature and 75% relative humidity. The eggs were stored with the small end pointed downward. Graded eggs were incubated in the ‘PETE RSIME’ incubator of the hatchery in the farm. Candling was performed twice as 7th and 14th days of incubation to culled the infertile eggs. Hatchability was calculated on the basis of the number of eggs set int o the incubator and the number of duckling hatched. Incubator temperature was maintained between 99^oF and 100^oF. The eggs were initially set in the incubator with the large end up or horizontally with the large end slightly elevated. This enables the embryo to remain oriented in a proper position for hatching. As soon as the chicks w ere dry and fluffy (6 to 12 hours after hatching ) they were removed from the incubator. Fumigation o f incubator was done carefully after every successful op ration. Information from the record registers of the farm was collected covering a period from 1995 to 2002. Data were analyzed with the MSTAT-C computer program for analysis of variance. The least-square analysis of variance was done to determine the effect of season on the hatchability of duck eggs.

Source of Information: International Journal of Poultry Science 3 (6): 419-421, 2004

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The effect of season on hatchability of duck eggs implied that winter 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