Description of the factors that decrease the incubation of the egg of creole hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) factors that decrease the incubation of the egg of creole hens

Abstract

Objective. Describe the factors that affect the incubation of fertile eggs of creole hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach: 448 eggs of creole hens were incubated in a Casser incubator model 7622, the number of infertile and fertile eggs was evaluated, the number of dead embryos was determined within the number of fertile eggs; due to dehydration or infected by fungi and bacteria. From the total number of hatched eggs, the chickens that died due to omphalitis were recorded.  

Results. It was observed that 272 of 448 incubated eggs were fertile; 119 of them hatched and 153 were dead embryos, while 176 were infertile. In the dead embryos it was identified that 84 were due to dehydration, 69 due to infection by fungi and bacteria and 11 of live-born (hatched) chickens died due to omphalitis.

Limitations/implications: In the literature review carried out, little information was found on factors that affect the incubation of the fertile egg of Creole birds in the backyard.

Findings/conclusions: Infection of the fertile egg of Creole hens by fungi and bacteria increases embryonic mortality, while omphalitis increases mortality during the first days of life on the progeny of Creole hens raised in backyard facilities. The high storage temperature in the nest or in the incubator causes dehydration of the embryo.

Keywords: Embryo mortality, bacteria, fungi, dehydration, egg infertility.