The effect of egg weight on egg external quality characteristics and hatching performance in pekin ducks

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of different egg weights on egg external quality characteristics and hatching performance in Pekin ducks. A total of 800 eggs were divided into three weight categories: "light" (Lo; 82 g). Parameters indicating egg external quality characteristics were calculated. Eggs were incubated and on the 25th day, transferred to the incubator for hatching. The mean egg weight for light, medium, and heavy categories were 70.25 g, 78.47 g, and 85.17 g, respectively (P<0.001). As egg weight increased, there was a significant decrease in shell thickness (P<0.001). The effect of different egg sizes on fertility was insignificant. The hatchability of fertile eggs was higher in the light and medium categories compared to the heavy category (P<0.05). Egg weight had a significant effect on early embryonic mortality rate (P<0.05) and chick hatch weight (P<0.001). In conclusion, different egg weights have varying effects on egg external quality parameters in Pekin ducks. Although heavy eggs produce chicks with higher weights, lighter or medium-weight eggs may be more advisable for incubation due to their better hatchability.

Keywords

• chick
• fertility
• shell
• incubation
• pekin duck
• egg weight