Comparison of hatchability and some egg quality characteristics in spotted and unspotted partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs

The current research was conducted to determine the comparison of hatchability and some egg quality characteristics in spotted and unspotted partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs. The research was carried out on 51 male and 102 female chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) aged 50 wk, which were raised at the Research and Application Farm of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Selcuk University. In total, 244 spotted and 261 unspotted eggs were used in the research. The hatching eggs were stored at 75% RH and 13°C for 14 d. Thirty spotted and 30 unspotted eggs laid on the same day were used for the evaluation of egg quality characteristics. Egg weight, chick weight, egg weight loss during the hatching period, shape index, hatchability, and some egg quality characteristics were evaluated at the end of the research. Spotted eggs exhibited a higher fertility and hatchability, as well as a lower percentage egg weight loss and embryonic mortality when compared with unspotted eggs. No significant differences were observed between spotted and unspotted eggs for egg weight, chick weight, shape index, specific gravity, albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk color green-red chromaticity (a*), albumen pH, and yolk pH. Spotted eggs had higher eggshell color a*, eggshell color blue-yellow chromaticity (b*), and eggshell strength, as well as a lower eggshell color light-dark chromaticity (L*), yolk color L*, and yolk color b* scores when compared with unspotted eggs. It was demonstrated that spots on the eggshells of chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) improved their hatchability by affecting various quality characteristics of their eggs. It was concluded that spotted eggs are more suitable for hatching.