The Effect of Incubator Type on Hatchability and Chick Survival of Emu Dromaius Novae Hollandiae (Le Souef 1907)

Abstract

The population of wildlife is declining due to unsustainable harvest for meat. There is need to increase animal protein to fill the gap between the demand and supply from conventional sources through production and management of non-conventional sources of meat like Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae. In this study hatchability and chick survival due to the use of two different types of incubators examined. Sixteen birds aged 20 month were managed in eight pens (25m by 25m each) under semi intensive system at Ajanla farms, Ibadan at the rate of one male to one female per pen. They were fed with pelleted feed and Tridax procumbens. Eggs were collected daily for viability test before setting and hatching in two different types of incubators; electric cabinet and kerosene incubators. Both were maintained at a temperature of 40°C and 25% relative humidity. Hatched chicks were monitored for the first six weeks of life to determine chick survival. Data obtained were
analyzed using ANOVA. Proximate analysis of the diet revealed that it contained 45% crude protein. Average production for three years was 62 + 2.4 eggs, with a total average of 35 + 18.2 eggs per hen during the breeding period. The mean weight recorded for Emu eggs was 625 + 2.59g. Fertility percentage was 75.4%. Average hatchability of 60.4%, 70.1% and 65.4% observed for kerosene-operated incubator for 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively were significantly higher (P<0.01) than 17.5%, 16.1% and 18.2% respectively for the electric incubators. For both incubators, incubation period was 50 days. The average weight of newly hatched chick was 414g. Mean weight of hatchings from kerosene and electric incubators were 418.5g; 409,6g respectively. Mortality
recorded in hatchlings from electric incubator was 30% while that for kerosene incubator was 10%. There was low hatchability in electric incubator compared to kerosene incubator.