In captivity condition rearing of many game bird species is affected by low hatching rate. Besides, there are not sufficient specific references about embryo development of these species. The exact estimation of the embryos death age, is the base for carrying out the diagnosis of the death causes during incubation and, consequently, to improve hatchability. A comparative study on embryo development was carried out on pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), red legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and grey partridge (Perdix perdix). For each specie, 100 eggs laid in the same day of the 9th laying week were incubated contemporarily in the same incubator. Longitudinal and transversal diameters and weight of the eggs were measured. At least 3 eggs for each specie were opened daily during the incubation period. Embryos were photographed, described in a macroscopic manner and the main measurements of anatomic portions were taken. The day of appearance of new organs and/or body portion (e.g. eye, claw, beck, etc.) was determined and the study allowed to elucidated enough development stages to estimate macroscopically embryo age within an approximation of about one day. A general delay in the hatching time of grey partridge was observed in comparison to pheasant and red legged partridge.
Embryos stages of development for estimation of day of death in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and partridges (Alectoris rufa and Perdix perdix)
FRONTE, BALDASSARE;BAGLIACCA, MARCO
2008-01-01
Abstract
In captivity condition rearing of many game bird species is affected by low hatching rate. Besides, there are not sufficient specific references about embryo development of these species. The exact estimation of the embryos death age, is the base for carrying out the diagnosis of the death causes during incubation and, consequently, to improve hatchability. A comparative study on embryo development was carried out on pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), red legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) and grey partridge (Perdix perdix). For each specie, 100 eggs laid in the same day of the 9th laying week were incubated contemporarily in the same incubator. Longitudinal and transversal diameters and weight of the eggs were measured. At least 3 eggs for each specie were opened daily during the incubation period. Embryos were photographed, described in a macroscopic manner and the main measurements of anatomic portions were taken. The day of appearance of new organs and/or body portion (e.g. eye, claw, beck, etc.) was determined and the study allowed to elucidated enough development stages to estimate macroscopically embryo age within an approximation of about one day. A general delay in the hatching time of grey partridge was observed in comparison to pheasant and red legged partridge.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
