Fertility and Hatchability of Eggs of Horasi Chicken Ecotype Collected Under Farmer’s Condition in Central and Lake Zones of Tanzania

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the fertility and hatchability of Horasi chicken eggs collected from farmers in three districts in Tabora region (Uyui, Nzega and Urambo), and three districts in Shinyanga region (Kahama, Ushetu and Msalala). Then eggs were packed, transported and hatched at Msigani Poultry Farms and Hatcheries in Dar es Salaam. A total of 12,141 eggs were set for hatching in three batches based on arrival at the hatchery and chicks hatched out from the eggs after 21 days of incubation period. After candling on the 7th day, breakout was performed on the candled clears and on day 23, breakout was performed on the eggs which did not hatch. Fertility was high in batch three (74.6%), followed by batch two (70.3%) and batch one (58.5%). Hatchability was high in batch one (43.3%), followed by batch two 27.3%, and batch three (18.8%). Both fertility and hatchability did not vary significantly between three batches. It was concluded that fertility and hatchability were generally poor; dead in germ and mortality were also high. Differences in managerial practices and transport of eggs for long distances may have contributed also to these results.