| Summary: | 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; <76 g), "medium" (Me; 76-82 g), and "heavy"
(Hi; >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.
|
|---|