Incubation and Hatching of Ostrich Eggs Using An Ordinary Chicken Incubator and A Modern Ostrich Incubator

Abstract

The study was performed in two ostrich farms rearing the same red-neck ostrich breed (Struthio camelus camelus) in Khartoum State. The average weight of ostrich egg incubated in Farm A was 1486.66 g. while it was 1732.66 g. in Farm B. The fertility rate in both farms was found to be similar (66.6%). The average egg weight loss at day 39 in Farm A was found to be 9.18% while it was 12.36% in Farm B. The average incubation period needed for hatching to take place in both farms was 42.8 days, which was longer than that recorded for black neck ostrich eggs (42 days). In Farm A, 30% late embryonic mortality was recorded while it was 20% in Farm B. In Farm A, the incidence of early embryonic mortality was found to be 20% while there was no early embryonic mortality in Farm B. Lower hatchability rate (50%) was recorded in Farm A than the rate recorded in Farm B 80%. Higher percentage (60%) of hatched chicks was found oedematous in Farm A, while 37.5% of the hatched chicks in Farm B was found oedematous. The average weight of hatched ostrich chicks was found to be 1040 g. in Farm A while it was 1122.5 g. in Farm B. This study has proved suitability and applicability of using ordinary chicken incubator for incubating and hatching ostrich eggs after performing specific modifications particularly in the egg trays to suit the size and shape of ostrich eggs.