Influence of type of nest and time of egg collection on ostrich hatchability, embryonic mortality and microbial contamination

Ninety eggs were collected over a period of four months from thirteen ostriches that were intensively reared at PGRIAS, Katupakkam, TANUVAS, to study factors such as type of nest and time of egg collection that could influence hatchability, embryonic mortality, malposition and microbial contamination in ostrich eggs. Eggs laid in mud nest had significantly (P<0.01) higher total and fertile hatchability and lower embryonic mortality. Out of nine dead-in-shells five of them had embryonic malpositions in eggs laid on grass nest. Hatchability was significantly (P<0.05) more in eggs collected in afternoon with a lower embryonic mortality rate. Eggs collected during forenoon had significantly (P<0.01) higher microbial load of 1.01±0.01 log cfu/gon the shell than eggs collected in the afternoon. Eggs collected from grass nest had significantly (P<0.01) higher microbial count on the shell and content than eggs collected from mud nest. Eggs collected during the afternoon had significantly (P<0.01) lower microbial count in egg content. Based on this study, it is concluded that eggs laid in mud nest at afternoon has higher hatchability and embryonic mortality with lower microbial contamination.