Effect of sex ratio, storage time and temperature on hatching rate, fertility and embryonic mortality in Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar)
2019
Habibi, Hassan | Ghahtan, Najmeh | Brooks, Daniel M.
Chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) are frequently reared in captivity with the aim of producing fertile eggs and chicks. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effect of male to female sex ratio on hatching rate and fertility and to determine the optimal temperature and time for egg storage and its effect on hatching rate and embryonic mortality in Chukar partridges. Maximum hatching rate and fertility rate were affected by male:female ratios during breeding (P < 0.05). The greatest embryonic mortality rate was with eggs that were stored at 25 °C for 15 to 20 d, however, the greatest hatching rate was when eggs were stored at 10 and 15 °C for 5 days. Storage time of Chukar partridge eggs can be extended for as long as 5 d, but longer storage periods can negatively affect hatching rate. In conclusion, a reduction of storage temperature and duration of time of storage in combination with reducing the sex ratio of the egg producing females and males during the breeding period might improve fertility, hatching rate and fertility of Chukar partridge eggs.
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