Incubation progress of Muscovy eggs

[Lacrystol]

Lori,

I thought she looked too wet too - but what do I know? I don't think it is the hygometer (although it could be)...I think I wet her too much that second time you told me to wet her. I think I made her way too wet...Remember? I even told you then that I was afraid I got her too wet.

My fault - and lesson learned. It is a valuable lesson for the future, because other than that, we got her a long way!

it wasn't you:

Sticky Embroys is caused by HIGH HUMIDITY. How long was the Humidity At 80 or 85??

 

[AnimalQuackers]

it wasn't you:

Sticky Embroys is caused by HIGH HUMIDITY. How long was the Humidity At 80 or 85??

But if I got her too wet, wouldn't that have raised the humidity? And to answer your question, I honestly do not know.

 

[Lacrystol]

But if I got her too wet, wouldn't that have raised the humidity? And to answer your question, I honestly do not know.

OK, We need to pay close attention to the others, so that we can Correct this and NOT lose anymore.

When the egg turned a different color, yes it was to wet however that wasn't the actually sticky cause, It had to have happened when that humidity went up to 80 or 85. depending on how long it was which my guess at least more than 2 hours since we were working on peeper, That would be Enough time to do the damage. By you wetting her to much, all you did was clean off the stickiness or at least tried and didn't even realize it. LOL That is why she Lasted as long as she did because you basically gave her some relieve by wetting her so much. That's probably where all those Yellow spots came from, they came from you wetting her sooo good, you were basically cleaning her off.. Keeping her from getting so sticky.

My main concern is if we don't get that humidity correct, we are going to run into the same problem with each one. That's why I would like for you to just CONFIRM that the gage is reading probably so that we can at least zero that out as part of the problem...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you both, Kathy and Lydia! Something I said to Lori that I firmly believe is if we (*I*) learn something from Peeper's short little life, then her life was not in vain...and I know I truly did!

Very true.

 

[AnimalQuackers]

OK, We need to pay close attention to the others, so that we can Correct this and NOT lose anymore.

When the egg turned a different color, yes it was to wet however that wasn't the actually sticky cause, It had to have happened when that humidity went up to 80 or 85. depending on how long it was which my guess at least more than 2 hours since we were working on peeper, That would be Enough time to do the damage. By you wetting her to much, all you did was clean off the stickiness or at least tried and didn't even realize it. LOL That is why she Lasted as long as she did because you basically gave her some relieve by wetting her so much. That's probably where all those Yellow spots came from, they came from you wetting her sooo good, you were basically cleaning her off.. Keeping her from getting so sticky.

My main concern is if we don't get that humidity correct, we are going to run into the same problem with each one. That's why I would like for you to just CONFIRM that the gage is reading probably so that we can at least zero that out as part of the problem...

I just did a search around here, and I can not believe it, but I found the other hygrometer! I just put it in the lockdown incubator with the other one....I will give it some time to stabilize and let you know!

 

[casportpony]

I just finished looking at the pictures and I didn't see one with her beak under her right wing, which is the position they need to be in to hatch. Some can hatch with their head over the wing, but I think those are few and far in between. Was her beak over or under her wing?

-Kathy

 

[AnimalQuackers]

I just finished looking at the pictures and I didn't see one with her beak under her right wing, which is the position they need to be in to hatch. Some can hatch with their head over the wing, but I think those are few and far in between. Was her beak over or under her wing?

-Kathy

Kathy, You are right - I don't have a good photo of where that right wing is! I am going to send you the photo I think best shows it via PM...give me a second, and check your mailbox, please.

 

[Lacrystol]

I just did a search around here, and I can not believe it, but I found the other hygrometer! I just put it in the lockdown incubator with the other one....I will give it some time to stabilize and let you know!

OH GOOD, I just want to confirm that it's not off, that's all because if it isn't then we need to keep it where it was and not remove anything yet. If its off we definitely need to make adjustments..

 

[casportpony]

Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm095

Malpositions

Investigation has demonstrated that the incidence of embryos unable to hatch due to malpostions varies from 1.2 to 1.8%, with an average of 1.5%. Malpositioned embryos are unable to pip the eggshell and escape due to improper positioning within the egg in the hatcher. It is interesting to note that numerous malpositions have been described, with some embryos exhibiting only one form of malposition and others experiencing combinations of malpositions. The majority of eggs with malpositioned embryos, as found in hatch residue, included embryos dead in shell, probably resulting from exhaustion and/or lack of oxygen. A smaller number of eggs contained live embryos trying to pip. Loss of embryos due to malpositions may be costly; therefore, it is important to routinely monitor the percent of the embryos not hatching. If the incidence due to malpositions exceeds the standard, corrective measures must be taken. Table 1 summarizes the most common malpositions present in routine egg breakouts from the common broiler breeder crosses currently used in the industry. The incidences vary for the light and medium breeder cross lines.

Table 1.
Incidence of the common malpositions
Malposition #

Description of the malposition

%
1

Head between thighs

12.5
2

Head in the small end of egg

7.5
3

Head under left wing

7.5
4

Head not directed toward air cell

4.5
5

Feet over head

20.0
6

Beak above right wing

48.0


An embryo provided an optimum environment for development will position itself around 17-18 days of incubation for hatch. The proper position is with the head under the right wing with the head directed toward the aircell in the large end of the egg. The results of this study demonstrate that malposition # 6, which is beak above the right wing, constitutes almost 50% of the malpositions, followed by position # 5, feet over head with a frequency of 20%.
There are numerous reasons that malpositions occur. In a normal population, the incidence should not exceed 2.0%. If the incidence is elevated, breeder and egg management practices must be investigated and appropriate changes made to resolve the problem. Common reasons for increased incidences of malpositions are:

• Eggs are set with small end up. As part of a monitoring program, check eggs in the egg room or in the setters to ensure that eggs have been set correctly.
• Advancing breeder hen age and shell quality problems.
• Egg turning frequency and angle are not adequate. Proper frequency of turning through a 45 degree angle assists the embryo to position for hatch. The standard turning rate in the setter is 1 per hour.
• Inadequate percent humidity loss of eggs in the setter. Acceptable weight loss of eggs from setting to transfer is 11-14%.
• Inadequate air cell development, improper temperature and humidity regulation, and insufficient ventilation in the incubator or hatcher.
• Imbalanced feeds, elevated levels of mycotoxins, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
• Exposure to lower than recommended temperatures in the last stage of incubation.

Deformities

In any animal population during embryonic development, there is a predictable incidence of embryos that die or are not able to hatch due to deformities. Based on this comprehensive investigation, data demonstrated that the percent of deformed embryos ranged from 0.22 to 0.30% of the total hatch. These findings suggest that hatchability declines on the average of 0.25% due to malformed chicks. A combination of deformities and malpositions can be manifested simultaneously. Table 2 shows the incidence of common deformities observed from embryos at 15 to 21 days of incubation. The most common deformities are those of exposed brain (29%), without eye(s) (25%) and with beak abnormalities (+/-35%).

Table 2.
Incidence of common deformities
Deformity

Description

%
1

Exposed Brain

29
2

Without eye(s)

25
3

4 legs

10
4

Deformed beak

27
5

No upper beak

8
6

Deformed twisted leg

1

Conclusion

The objective is to produce the maximum number of healthy chicks from eggs set. The percent hatchability in the commercial poultry industry ranges from 78-88%. Many variables affect the level of success, including environmental temperature and humidity, lighting, body weight management, strain of breeder, etc. Normally, loss of about 1.8% of total hatch due to malpositions and deformities can be anticipated. However, if this is elevated, necessary corrective measures must be taken. The importance of a routine embryo diagnosis program can not be overstated. Without such a program and access to data generated, it is difficult to detect when increases in incidences of 0.5-1.0% deformities and malpositions occur. Thus, it is not possible to “know where to look” for the problem and make the necessary changes. The competent hatchery manager will consistently be able to obtain superior hatches by being able to identify even small problems and promptly resolve them. In most cases in the hatchery, problems with hatchabiltity are due to a combination of several unresolved smaller problems.

-Kathy

 

[Lacrystol]

Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm095

Malpositions

Investigation has demonstrated that the incidence of embryos unable to hatch due to malpostions varies from 1.2 to 1.8%, with an average of 1.5%. Malpositioned embryos are unable to pip the eggshell and escape due to improper positioning within the egg in the hatcher. It is interesting to note that numerous malpositions have been described, with some embryos exhibiting only one form of malposition and others experiencing combinations of malpositions. The majority of eggs with malpositioned embryos, as found in hatch residue, included embryos dead in shell, probably resulting from exhaustion and/or lack of oxygen. A smaller number of eggs contained live embryos trying to pip. Loss of embryos due to malpositions may be costly; therefore, it is important to routinely monitor the percent of the embryos not hatching. If the incidence due to malpositions exceeds the standard, corrective measures must be taken. Table 1 summarizes the most common malpositions present in routine egg breakouts from the common broiler breeder crosses currently used in the industry. The incidences vary for the light and medium breeder cross lines.

Table 1.
Incidence of the common malpositions
Malposition #

Description of the malposition

%
1

Head between thighs

12.5
2

Head in the small end of egg

7.5
3

Head under left wing

7.5
4

Head not directed toward air cell

4.5
5

Feet over head

20.0
6

Beak above right wing

48.0


An embryo provided an optimum environment for development will position itself around 17-18 days of incubation for hatch. The proper position is with the head under the right wing with the head directed toward the aircell in the large end of the egg. The results of this study demonstrate that malposition # 6, which is beak above the right wing, constitutes almost 50% of the malpositions, followed by position # 5, feet over head with a frequency of 20%.
There are numerous reasons that malpositions occur. In a normal population, the incidence should not exceed 2.0%. If the incidence is elevated, breeder and egg management practices must be investigated and appropriate changes made to resolve the problem. Common reasons for increased incidences of malpositions are:

• Eggs are set with small end up. As part of a monitoring program, check eggs in the egg room or in the setters to ensure that eggs have been set correctly.
• Advancing breeder hen age and shell quality problems.
• Egg turning frequency and angle are not adequate. Proper frequency of turning through a 45 degree angle assists the embryo to position for hatch. The standard turning rate in the setter is 1 per hour.
• Inadequate percent humidity loss of eggs in the setter. Acceptable weight loss of eggs from setting to transfer is 11-14%.
• Inadequate air cell development, improper temperature and humidity regulation, and insufficient ventilation in the incubator or hatcher.
• Imbalanced feeds, elevated levels of mycotoxins, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
• Exposure to lower than recommended temperatures in the last stage of incubation.

Deformities

In any animal population during embryonic development, there is a predictable incidence of embryos that die or are not able to hatch due to deformities. Based on this comprehensive investigation, data demonstrated that the percent of deformed embryos ranged from 0.22 to 0.30% of the total hatch. These findings suggest that hatchability declines on the average of 0.25% due to malformed chicks. A combination of deformities and malpositions can be manifested simultaneously. Table 2 shows the incidence of common deformities observed from embryos at 15 to 21 days of incubation. The most common deformities are those of exposed brain (29%), without eye(s) (25%) and with beak abnormalities (+/-35%).

Table 2.
Incidence of common deformities
Deformity

Description

%
1

Exposed Brain

29
2

Without eye(s)

25
3

4 legs

10
4

Deformed beak

27
5

No upper beak

8
6

Deformed twisted leg

1

Conclusion

The objective is to produce the maximum number of healthy chicks from eggs set. The percent hatchability in the commercial poultry industry ranges from 78-88%. Many variables affect the level of success, including environmental temperature and humidity, lighting, body weight management, strain of breeder, etc. Normally, loss of about 1.8% of total hatch due to malpositions and deformities can be anticipated. However, if this is elevated, necessary corrective measures must be taken. The importance of a routine embryo diagnosis program can not be overstated. Without such a program and access to data generated, it is difficult to detect when increases in incidences of 0.5-1.0% deformities and malpositions occur. Thus, it is not possible to “know where to look” for the problem and make the necessary changes. The competent hatchery manager will consistently be able to obtain superior hatches by being able to identify even small problems and promptly resolve them. In most cases in the hatchery, problems with hatchabiltity are due to a combination of several unresolved smaller problems.

-Kathy

I don't get it, what does this have to do with STICKINESS?