Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid and high-oleic sunflower oil on performance and egg quality in laying hens

(1) Laying hen performance, yolk fatty acid (FA) concentrations, sensory quality and firmness of eggs were evaluated with respect to the inclusion in the diet of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and high-oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO). (2) Nine diets were arranged factorially, with three concentrations of CIA (0, 1 and 2 g/kg) and HOSO (10, 20 and 30 g/kg). (3) Type of diet did not affect egg production traits. (4) Dietary addition of CLA decreased yolk lipid content and yolk lipid concentrations of monounsaturated FA, C(20:4 n-6) and C(22:6 n-3), but increased those of CLA and saturated FA. (5) Dietary addition of HOSO increased monounsaturated FA concentrations in the yolk lipid but decreased those of CLA and saturated FA. (6) CLA supplementation increased yolk moisture and firmness and impaired the sensory quality of eggs. (7) An interaction between CLA and HOSO addition was found as effects of CLA addition on yolk lipid CLA concentrations and egg quality traits were smaller when the amount of HOSO in the diet increased. (8) Regression equations have been calculated in order to predict yolk CLA and C(18:1), concentration from dietary composition, and yolk firmness from yolk FA composition.     

Comparison between wheat, triticale, rye, soyabean oil and strain of laying bird on the production, and cholesterol and fatty acid contents of eggs.

1. The effects of feeding three types of cereal grain (wheat, triticale or rye) and soyabean oil (0 or 20 g/kg) over a 12-week period on the production, yolk cholesterol and yolk fatty acid concentrations of three strains of laying pullets were studied. 2. Pullets fed on wheat- or triticale-based diets had higher body weight gains, egg productions, egg weights, egg mass and lower yolk cholesterol concentrations than pullets fed on rye-based diets. However, there were no significant differences between the cereals in yolk cholesterol content. 3. There were no significant differences between the three cereals in total food consumption of pullets nor of yolk weight nor yolk concentration of palmitic, stearic and oleic acids. 4. Pullets fed on triticale-based diets had higher yolk linoleic acid concentrations and lower yolk oleic acid: linoleic acid ratios than pullets fed on rye- or wheat-based diets. 5. Soyabean oil supplementation increased egg production, egg mass, yolk linoleic concentration and yolk unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio, but reduced yolk oleic acid: linoleic acid ratio. 6. There were differences between strains of pullets in weight gain, food consumption, rate of lay, egg weight and yolk cholesterol, but not in yolk fatty acid concentrations. 7. It was concluded that wheat- or triticale-based diets gave good production of eggs of lower cholesterol content, that soyabean oil supplementation gave eggs with a high unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio and that two strains of layers produced eggs with lower yolk cholesterol concentrations than a third strain.     

Lipid profile in eggs of Araucana hens compared with Lohmann Selected Leghorn and ISA Brown hens given diets with different fat sources

1. In a cross-over trial, the egg cholesterol and fatty acid composition of Araucana hens was compared with those of two commercial breeds (Lohmann Selected Leghorn and ISA Brown) under two feeding regimes, either high (Hn-3) or low (Ln-3) in long-chain n-3 fatty acids. 2. The Hn-3 diet was formed by isocaloric substitution of animal fat in the control diet (Ln-3) by a dry product containing stabilised fish oil with standardised concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 3. Both breed and diet had influences on egg composition, without interactions. 4. The Araucana breed showed lower feed intake and lower egg weights than the other two breeds. The yolk weight was similar, leading to a much higher yolk:albumen ratio in the Araucana eggs. 5. In comparison to commercial breeds, Araucanas produced eggs with higher cholesterol content per g of yolk, which was even more pronounced when expressed per g of egg, due to the high yolk content of the eggs. The cholesterol content of an egg remained unchanged by the diet, irrespective of the dietary fat source. 6. Changing to the Hn-3 diet led to greater concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) contents in the yolk, without a change in the ratio of saturated (SFA) to unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). 7. Within the PUFA, the n-3 fatty acids increased at the expense of the n-6 fatty acids, indicating a competition between n-3 and n-6 fatty acids for incorporation in the yolk.     

蛋形指数对拉萨白鸡种蛋孵化效果的影响及相关分析

为了研究蛋形指数对拉萨白鸡种蛋孵化效果的影响,在相同孵化条件下,选用3世代47周龄拉萨白鸡种蛋,按蛋形指数分组进行孵化,并对蛋形指数与孵化效果的相关性进行了分析。结果表明,蛋形指数(横径/纵径)在0.68~0.72时,0胚龄蛋重、纵径均值、头照(第11日胚龄)蛋重、二照(第20日胚龄)蛋重最大,分别为:(51.92±5.27)g、(57.71±1.97)mm、(48.95±4.67)g、(45.47±3.97)g;蛋形指数(横径/纵径)在0.73~0.77时,入孵蛋孵化率、受精蛋孵化率和雏鸡的初生重最大,分别为:82.65%、86.60%、(36.31±4.71)g;蛋形指数(横径/纵径)在0.78~0.82时,头照(第11日胚龄)失重、头照(第11日胚龄)失重率、二照(第20日胚龄)失重、二照(第20日胚龄)失重率最大,分别为:(3.35±0.93)g、(6.64±1.54)%、(6.70±1.47)g、(13.47±2.56)%;蛋形指数(横径/纵径)在0.83~0.87时,橫径均值、受精率、健雏率、雏鸡初生重占入孵蛋重的百分比最大,分别为:(42.82±1.23)mm、97.26%、95.96%、(70.23±3.58)%;雏鸡初生重与雏鸡初生重占入孵蛋重的百分比呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。该研究为拉萨白鸡今后的选育提供了理论依据。     

高海拔环境下不同品种鸡种蛋孵化效果研究

为评价不同品种鸡种蛋在高海拔地区的孵化性能,选取4个品种蛋鸡的种蛋在海拔3 780 m的环境条件下开展孵化试验,观察并比较高海拔环境下各品种鸡种蛋的孵化效果。结果表明,拉萨白鸡种蛋的受精率、入孵蛋孵化率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率都是最高的,分别为94.32%、76.70%、81.33%、94.41%;北京藏鸡种蛋的受精率最低,为74.00%;北京油鸡种蛋的入孵蛋孵化率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率都是最低的,分别为0.84%、1.00%、50.00%。     

Effects of Egg Yolk Source on the Cryopreservation of Stallion Spermatozoa

Three experiments were conducted to determine whether replacement of chicken egg yolk, as a component of freezing extenders, with egg yolk from other avian species would improve the post-thaw motility and percentage of intact acrosomes of stallion spermatozoa. In the first experiment, substitution of chicken egg yolk with chukar egg yolk, as a component of the lactose-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid extender, improved (P ≤ .05) the post-thaw motility of stallion spermatozoa. These results were not replicated in (IMV Technologies, Maple Grove, MN, USA) a more expansive study comparing 2%, 4%, 6%, or 8% egg yolk combined with INRA 96 when a “slow freeze” method was used, or the same substitution at levels ranging from 13% to 22% when egg yolk was combined with lactose-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for diluents used for a “fast freeze” method of cryopreservation. In the third study, egg yolks from regular and high omega-3 chicken eggs as well as from turkey, chukar, and mallard duck eggs were analyzed for lipid content and fatty acid profile. The yolk from the turkey eggs was higher (1,300 mg/100 g) and that from mallard ducks was lower (560 mg/100 g) in cholesterol as compared with the two types of chicken eggs and chukar egg yolk (range, 1,046-1,094 mg/100 g). In addition, the high omega-3 eggs did test higher for fatty acids (4.51 g/100 g) than other types of eggs (range, 0.28-0.73 g/100 g). Substitution of chicken egg yolk with turkey, but not duck, egg yolk resulted in higher post-thaw total motility (P ≤ .05) for spermatozoa obtained from two of the three stallions used in the third experiment.     

Biotin requirements of broiler breeders fed diets of different protein content and effect of insufficient biotin on the viability of progeny

Production of eggs or normal chicks was depressed when practical diets containing 168 g or 137 g of crude protein (CP)/kg were not supplemented with synthetic biotin. Overall egg production and hatchability of fertile eggs was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher with the diets containing 137 g CP/kg. Biotin requirement was higher with the diet containing 168 g CP/kg and was estimated to be about 100 micrograms of available biotin/kg, equivalent to a daily intake of 16 micrograms for food-restricted hens. Biotin concentrations in egg yolk and chick plasma were related to maternal intake and increased with maternal age. The minimum yolk biotin concentration indicative of adequate maternal status was about 550 micrograms/g. Chicks from young hens fed insufficient biotin had the poorest biotin status at hatching and their growth potential and viability were reduced.     

Influence of the sex-linked dwarfing gene (dw) on the contribution of dietary lipid to yolk lipid synthesis

1. The efficiency and time course of dietary fatty acid incorporation into lipids of egg yolk and abdominal adipose tissue was compared in "White Leghorn", normal (Dw) and dwarf (dw) laying hens at 56 weeks of age, using 14C labelled linoleic acid. 2. The sex-linked dwarfing gene, dw, was shown to reduce not only body weight and abdominal fat pad deposition, but also yolk production and the average clutch size. 3. Higher peak incorporation and total recovery of the linoleic acid radioactivity into yolk lipids, but lower label recovery into adipose tissue triglycerides were found in dwarf hens. 4. The higher esterification of the dietary linoleic acid in its native form into dwarf yolk triglycerides indicates that dwarf hens use more dietary lipids to synthesise yolk lipids but these results also suggest that the dw allele might reduce the lipogenic capacities of the liver and adipose tissue in laying hens.     

Effects of electrical field on hatchability performance of eggs from a layer-type breeder

1. Eggs from a layer-type breeder flock (Baladi, King Saud University) between 50 and 63 weeks of age were used in three trials to study the effects of electrical field (EF) during incubation on albumen and yolk heights, incubation temperature, egg weight loss and hatchability traits. The effects of egg size and eggshell characteristics on hatchability traits of eggs incubated under EF were investigated. 2. Eggs were weighed and graded into three weight classes (small, medium, and large). The physical dimensions, eggshell characteristics, and conductance of eggs were examined. The incubator was divided into two compartments for the control and EF treatments. Two aluminium plates were fitted on the inside walls of the EF compartment, face to face, and connected to a step up electric transformer. Eggs were exposed constantly to the EF during the first 18 d of incubation at the level of 30 kV/m, 60 Hz. 3. Egg size influenced the physical dimensions and eggshell characteristics of eggs. Large eggs had higher egg weight, egg surface area, egg volume, eggshell conductance, and eggshell weight and lower yolk weight percentage than medium or small size eggs. Small eggs had lower egg length and higher egg density than large or medium size eggs. Large eggs had higher eggshell thickness than small size eggs. 4. EF incubation of eggs raised incubation temperature by 0.06 degrees C, and increased the percentage of egg weight loss, hatchability, and weight of hatching chicks and reduced the early embryo deaths, and length of incubation by approximately 9.8, 19.6, 1.7, 62.1 and 2.1%, respectively. 5. There was no significant difference between the two incubation treatments in the heights of albumen and yolk of incubated eggs, percentages of late embryo deaths, and pips with live and dead embryos. Hatchability traits were not significantly influenced by egg size. 6. It was concluded that EF incubation of eggs increased hatchability, chick-hatching weight, and reduced the length of incubation of Baladi eggs. Differences in the physical dimensions and eggshell characteristics of eggs did not influence hatchability traits of eggs under EF incubation.     

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid and fish oil supplementation on performance and egg quality in laying hens

1. Laying hen performance, yolk fat fatty acid concentrations and firmness of eggs were evaluated with respect to the inclusion in the diet of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fish oil. 2. Nine diets were arranged factorially, with three levels of supplementation of CLA (1, 3 and 5 g/kg) and fish oil (0, 14 and 20 g/kg). 3. Type of diet did not affect egg production traits. 4. CLA addition increased yolk weight and yolk fat concentrations of CLA, saturated and total long-chain n-3 fatty acids, but decreased those of monounsaturated and total long-chain n-6 fatty acids. 5. Fish oil addition increased long-chain n-3 fatty acids yolk fat concentrations but decreased those of CLA, saturated and long-chain n-6 fatty acids. 6. Effects of CLA addition on yolk fat concentrations of C22:4 n-6 and C20:5 n-3 were greater when no fish oil was added to the diet. 7. CLA supplementation increased linearly yolk moisture and firmness and altered albumen and yolk pH.     

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.     

The influence of diet composition on egg and chick traits in captive Greater Rhea females

1. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of diet composition on egg number, physical and chemical characteristics of eggs and weight and survival of chicks throughout a breeding season in a captive-bred population of greater rheas (Rhea americana).

2. From August to December, individuals were offered two diets: processed feed for rheas and processed feed for chicken (which is the feed most commonly offered to farmed rheas in Argentina). Reproductive performance of 15 females was monitored and female body weight was recorded before egg-laying onset. Within each experimental group, the following variables were determined: egg morphometric variables and percentage of components, fatty acid composition, hatching success and initial weight of chicks and mortality during the first week of life.

3. Females that were fed on processed feed for rheas delayed onset of laying and reduced laying period and number of eggs produced. However, females of this group laid larger eggs, with higher percentages of yolk and yolk lipids, and exhibited higher hatching success and chick weight compared with those that received chicken diet. Survivorship of chicks in their first week of life was not affected by composition of the diet offered to parental female.

4. Some reproductive parameters of captive greater rhea females fed on processed feed for rheas were higher than those of individuals receiving processed feed for chicken.     

Effects of in ovo injection of chrysin,quercetin and ascorbic acid on hatchability,somatic attributes,hepatic oxidative status and early post‐hatch performance of broiler chicks

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection of chrysin, quercetin and ascorbic acid on hatchability, somatic attributes, hepatic antioxidant status and early post‐hatch growth performance of broiler chicks. Four hundred and eighty embryonated broiler breeder eggs containing live 18‐day‐old embryos were divided into six groups of 80 eggs each. One group remained intact and served as a control group (i), whereas the other five groups were injected with the prepared injection solutions as follows: (ii) 0.05 ml distilled water; (iii) 0.05 ml distilled water containing 6 mg ascorbic acid; (iv) 0.05 ml dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); (v) 0.05 ml DMSO containing 4.5 mg quercetin; and (vi) 0.05 ml DMSO containing 4.5 mg chrysin. The hatchability rate, hatching weight, residual yolk sac weight, yolk sac‐free body weight, liver weight, hepatic glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities, as well as malondialdehyde concentrations, were not affected by the injected solutions. There were no differences between chicks hatched from the control and in ovo injected eggs in weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio from 0 to 11 days of age. However, the specific contrast performed between the in ovo injected groups and intact eggs revealed that in ovo injection significantly increased hatchability rate (p = .0493). This finding also implies that our injection procedure was harmless. In conclusion, the intra‐egg injection of chrysin, quercetin or ascorbic acid at the injection rates used in this study did not have a significant effect on hatchability, somatic characteristics, early growth performance and hepatic antioxidant status of broiler chicks. However, the overall hatchability was higher in the in ovo injected eggs as compared to non‐injected ones. These findings also confirmed the harmlessness of the procedure developed for in ovo injection in this study.     

Chromatographic analysis of lypophilic compounds in eggs from organically fed hens

Egg yolks represent a common foodstuff in the human diet and are an important source of nutrients including lipids and carotenoids. The aim of this study was to compare the carotenoid, fatty acid and vitamin E contents of the yolk of eggs from nine hen breeds (Barred Plymouth Rock, Speckled Italian, Black Italian, Red Italian, Rhode Island, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Gold Araucana, Partridge Brahma and Yellow Cochin) raised in barns in an enclosed house. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for the fatty acid analyses, and reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (RP-HPLC-PDA) for carotenoids and vitamin E quantification. The major carotenoids identified were lutein and zeaxanthin, which together represented more than 93% of the total carotenoids, followed by β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene.The results indicated that the total carotenoid content of the eggs ranged from 16.84–87.31 μg/g egg yolk (average value 49 μg/g egg yolk). The most representative fatty acids found were palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Significant differences in the proportions of α-linolenic acid were observed among the samples. The α-tocopherol content was directly correlated with the total carotenoid content. The results show that the chemical composition of egg yolk varies greatly among hen breeds.     

Biological activities of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and effects of CLA on animal products

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for a group of positional (c8, c10; c9, c11; c10, c12, and c11, c13) and geometric (cis,cis; cis,trans; trans,cis; and trans,trans) isomers of octadecadienoic acid (linoleic acid) with conjugated double bond system. Dietary CLA increased the ratio of saturated fatty acid (SFA) and decreased unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) in the egg yolk and CLA sources for fat improved the color stability possibly by inhibition of lipid oxidation and oxymyoglobin oxidation in beef patties. Also dietary CLA reduced purge loss in pork loin, it could be due not only to high intramuscular fat content but also to stability of cell membrane lipids assumed by the observed delay in lipid oxidation for CLA. Cholesterol content in egg yolk was significantly decreased by a supply of dietary CLA for 5 weeks feeding. Dietary CLA and storage of CLA eggs increased the firmness of hard-cooked egg yolk and the texture of yolks from hard-cooked CLA eggs was rubbery and elastic and yolk were more difficult to break using an Instron. The eggs produced by hens fed CLA were hard and were characterized by a reddish yolk when cooled to 4 °C for 10 weeks. Several studies have determined the antioxidant property of CLA. The oxidative reactions could influence CLA concentrations by either causing the formation of linoleic acid radicals, which in turn could be converted to CLA by hydrogen donors, or causing the oxidative destruction of the conjugated double-bond system of CLA.     

籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对孵化效果影响的研究

本试验旨在研究不同水平蛋重与蛋形指数对籽鹅种蛋孵化效果的影响,进而总结出种蛋筛选的最佳方案,为籽鹅个体、家系种蛋的选留及籽鹅的繁衍、孵化、生产提供科学参考。选取二年籽鹅种蛋2 469枚,蛋重为94.8~154.4 g,平均蛋重（123.3±9.5）g;蛋形指数为1.24~1.63,平均蛋形指数1.45±0.05。采用2因素4水平试验设计,将所有种蛋按蛋重与蛋形指数分成16个孵化组（蛋重与蛋形指数分别分为4个水平）,测量每枚种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数,并在蛋壳上做好编号,在相同孵化条件、同一孵化设备中进行两次孵化试验。结果表明,①蛋重<118.0 g组种蛋受精率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,125.0~131.9 g组次之,且受精蛋孵化率随着蛋重增大升高;125.0~131.9 g组种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重最大。②蛋形指数在1.47~1.51组种蛋受精率及种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>1.51组次之;1.47~1.51组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,1.42~1.46组次之。分析以上结果可得出：籽鹅种蛋蛋重对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重有显著影响（P<0.05）,以籽鹅蛋重在125.0~154.4 g为宜;蛋形指数对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率亦有显著影响（P<0.05）,对种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重无影响（P>0.05）,以蛋形指数在1.47~1.51为宜。籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重的影响均存在交互作用。其中,蛋形指数对种蛋孵化健雏率的影响较蛋重强,其作为单一因素对鹅雏出生重无影响。以上结果表明,以蛋重或蛋形指数任一因素作为种蛋筛选的依据都不科学,应综合考虑以达到种蛋优选的目的。     

Supplemental defatted microalgae affects egg and tissue fatty acid composition differently in laying hens fed diets containing corn and flaxseed oil

Effects of defatted microalgae (DFA) on fatty acid composition of eggs and tissues of hens have not been well studied. This experiment was to determine how low concentrations of supplemental DFA in the presence or absence of flaxseed oil (FO) altered fatty acid profiles of egg yolk, liver, adipose tissue, and plasma of layers. A total of 60 Shaver Leghorn layer hens (individually caged, 20-wk old) were allotted into 6 groups (n = 10) and fed a corn/soybean meal basal diet containing 0, 3, or 5% DFA and 0 (1.5% corn oil, CO) or 1.5% FO for 6 wk. BW, ADFI, egg production rate, and egg component weights were not affected by any of the dietary treatments at various time points, but egg yolk color was changed (P < 0.05) with increasing concentrations of DFA. The concentration of n-3 fatty acids in egg yolk and plasma were elevated by FO up to 9-fold (P < 0.05) starting at wk 1 or 2, and 39 to 83% (P < 0.05) by DFA. Supplemental DFA improved (P < 0.05) n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios in egg yolk and plasma from 13 to 23 and 7 to 13, respectively, only in hens fed diets without FO. Fatty acid profiles of liver and adipose tissue (at wk 6) displayed responses to supplemental DFA and FO similar to those of egg yolk or plasma. In conclusion, supplemental 3 or 5% DFA caused moderate enrichments of n-3 fatty acids and decreased the n6/n3 fatty acid ratios of egg yolk and tissues in hens fed diets without FO.     

Impact of Hatching Egg Weight and Egg Shape Index on Hatching Results in Zi Goose

This paper was aimed to study the impact of hatching egg weights and egg shape indexs on hatching of Zi goose,and then sum up the best scheme for hatching eggs screening,so as to provide scientific reference for the selection and retention of Zi goose individuals and family hatching eggs,as well as the breeding and incubation production.2469 hatching eggs of Zi geese of the second year were chosen with the weight range of 94.8 to 154.4 g and an average weight of (123.3±9.5) g;the egg shape index range was 1.24~1.63 and the average index was 1.45±0.05.Using 2 factors 4 levels test design,the weight and the shape index of eggs were divided into four levels and all the eggs were separated into 16 hatching groups.The weight and the shape index were measured and labeled on eggshells.Two hatching experiments were conducted in the same instrument and the hatching conditions were same.The results showed that:① Egg fertility rate was the highest in egg weight <118.0 g group,followed by >131.9 g group;Hatchability of fertilized eggs was the highest in >131.9 g group,followed by 125.0~131.9 g group,and the hatchability of fertilized eggs increased along with the increase of egg weight;The highest healthy chick rate of breeding egg hatching lay in 125.0~131.9 g group,followed by >131.9 g group;The highest breeding egg hatching gosling birth weight lay in >131.9 group.② When egg shape index was between 1.47 to 1.51,the egg fertility rate and healthy chick rate were the highest,followed by >1.51 group;In the group 1.47 to 1.51,hatchability of fertilized eggs was the highest,followed by 1.42 to 1.46 group.In conclusion,hatching egg weight of Zi goose had significant impact on egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs,healthy chick rate and gosling birth weight (P<0.05),and the egg weight of Zi goose between 125.0~154.4 g was advisable;on the other hand,egg shape index also had significant impact on egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs and healthy chick rate (P<0.05),but had no impact on gosling birth weight (P>0.05),and the egg shape index between 1.47 to 1.51 was appropriate.Egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs,healthy chick rate and gosling birth weight were affected by interaction of egg weight and shape index.Compared with the weight of eggs,the egg shape index had greater influence on healthy geese rate.The egg shape index had no direct impact on birth weight of young geese,but it could be influenced by the interaction between the egg shape index and the weight.Thus it was not very scientific to take either the weight or the index as the only basis for choosing qualified hatching eggs.     

Effect of pre-incubation storage conditions on hatchability,chick weight at hatch and hatching time in broiler breeders

1. Eggs were stored for two different times at varying temperatures. The effects on hatchability, chick weight at hatch and hatching time were examined in two broiler breeder lines from 33 to 58 weeks of age. 2. Short storage (1 to 3 d). Storage at 20 degrees C compared with 16.5 degrees C reduced hatchability of all eggs set. No effect was observed on hatchability of fertile eggs, hatching time or chick weight. 3. Long storage (9 to 11 d). Storage at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C decreased both hatchability of fertile eggs and chick weight at hatch. Incidence of early embryonic death increased and incubation time decreased at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C. 4. Chicks from morning eggs were heavier than those from afternoon eggs irrespective of storage conditions. 5. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) and chick weight varied with hen age irrespective of storage conditions. During long storage, hatching time varied with hen age independently of breeder line, storage temperature or egg laying time. 6. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) was higher in line A than in line B. Line B eggs hatched later and produced heavier chicks than line A eggs irrespective of storage time.     

Correlations between breeder age, egg cholesterol content, blood cholesterol level and hatchability of broiler breeders

1. The research was carried out to investigate correlations between breeder age, egg cholesterol content, blood cholesterol level and hatchability of broiler breeders. 2. Egg cholesterol content increased with increased breeder age. The mean yolk cholesterol contents (mg per g yolk) were 10.47+/-0.28, 15.34+/-0.65 and 15.64+/-0.71 mg/g at 28, 45 and 65 weeks of age, respectively. 3. There were positive correlations between yolk weight and yolk cholesterol content (mg/g yolk) (r=01.941; P<0.01) and egg cholesterol content (mg/egg) (r=0.980; P<0.01). 4. Negative correlations were found between egg yolk cholesterol content and hatchability of fertile eggs (r=-0.345; P<0.05), fertility ratio (r=-0.609; P<0.01) and hatchability of total eggs (r=-0.574; P<0.01). 5. The mean blood cholesterol levels were 165.1+/-11.04, 166.5+/-11.97 and 179.5+/-11.33 mg/dl at 28, 45 and 65 weeks of age, respectively.