Effects of storage length and weight loss during incubation on the hatchability of ostrich eggs (Struthio camuelus).

A total of 150 ostrich eggs was collected from two commercial ostrich farms. The eggs were brushed to remove soil and placed into one storage area (15.51 to 15.56 C without controlling humidity) for different periods of time (up to 19 d) before being incubated. After storage, the eggs were kept for 12 h at room temperature, and then washed, disinfected, and dried before being placed into a commercial incubator to determine the effect of length of storage on hatchability. The two supply farms varied by 11.1% in hatchability. The weight of eggs stored for the same lengths of time was not significantly different (P > or = 0.05) between hatched and unhatched eggs. Hatchabilities of ostrich eggs were not affected by days of storage up to 19 d at 15.51 to 15.56 C without controlling the humidity level but, rather, by the amount of weight loss during incubation.