![]() Moreover the constant use of water inside the incubator causes a build-up of corrosion and calcium. Because the cuticle is already removed before or during the first days of incubation, when the embryo is still very fragile, the risk of contamination is higher compared to the natural incubation process. This practice results in a linear weight loss profile (see Figure 2). The hatching industry typically removes the cuticle of duck eggs by washing the eggs with a chlorine solution before incubation or by spraying them with water during incubation. The weight loss profile of the natural incubation process of a duck is shown in Figure 2.įigure 2: Linear versus natural weight loss profile of duck eggs during incubation Hatchery practices Afterwards, when the embryo is more resistant to contamination, the parent bird enhances weight loss by degrading the cuticle. In this phase, the weight loss is still limited because the cuticle is almost completely intact, which minimizes contamination. During the first 12 days, the embryo is very sensitive to contamination. This degradation results in more exposed pores and consequently in an increasing rate of gas exchange throughout the natural incubation process. In nature, the cuticle of duck eggs will gradually degrade during incubation due to the turning action of the parent bird and the nest activity. ![]() Anatomy of an egg, 2007)ĭuck egg with partly removed cuticle for better gas exchange Natural incubation process ![]() Therefore the cuticle of duck eggs needs to be removed before or during incubation to allow sufficient gas exchange.įigure 1: anatomy of an egg (Source: Horst, Frank. The cuticle of duck eggs is thicker compared to the cuticle of chicken eggs, which makes the gas exchange between the embryo and the environment more difficult. This coating creates a barrier that inhibits bacteria, fungal or other agents of contamination from entering the egg through the pores. The cuticle offers a natural protective coating on the outer surface of the egg (see Figure 1). Petersime’s Dynamic Weight Loss System™ offers an alternative for the incubation of duck eggs, making the removal of the cuticle redundant, thereby reducing the risk of contamination.īy Roger Banwell, Hatchery Development Manager Removal of cuticle for better gas exchange However, this removal involves a higher risk of contamination, possibly resulting in a huge negative impact on hatchery results. The removal of the cuticle has always been a common practice when incubating duck eggs. Incubation of duck eggs without removal of cuticle
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