Muscovy duck, temperature regime in natural incubation, incubation technology
Abstract
Study was carried out on the temperature regime on the surface of naturally hatched Muscovy duck eggs with the aim of its specifying during artificial incubation. Egg fertility and hatchability during the whole period of study were reported in the experimental hatches.
Depending on the period of the embryo development, on the ambient temperature and the egg position in the nest, the
surface temperature of the naturally hatched Muscovy duck eggs varied between 35.78 and 38.87о С. The temperature increase of the upper egg surface after the 20th – 23st day of the embryonic development to 37.92 - 38.87о С was due to the use of yolk fats by the embryos leading to the release of more heat.
As a result of the observations on the temperature regime of the surface of naturally hatched Muscovy duck eggs, we recommend that during artificial hatching of eggs from the same waterfowl species the following temperature should be maintained:
– until closing of the allantois - 37.6 – 37.8 о С.
– from closing of the allantois until the transfer into the hatchery - 37.2 – 37.5 оС.
– in the hatchery - 36.7 – 37.0 оС.
– water cooling of eggs by it twofold per day sprying with distilled water at 18–20°С, since 20th, instead of 8th or 16th day of embryonary development, or accomplish it in hatchery only.
