The effects of storage temperature and position on embryonic mortality of ostrich (Struthio camelus) eggs

The present study was carried out with the aim of determining the effects of storage temperature and storage position on embryonic mortalities in ostrich eggs. A total of 229 ostrich eggs was collected from two commercial ostrich farms. The effects of storage temperature on embryonic mortality differed. Embryonic deaths (totalled for early, medium and late incubation) were determined at respectively 28.6, 32.0, 42.9% in groups of eggs from stored immediately after collection for seven days at 16 °C, 21 °C and 25 °C. Embryonic mortality was not affected by storing eggs for one week at 16 °C in either the vertical position (with the aircell at the top, or the aircell at the bottom) or the horizontal position. The percentage of embryonic mortalities was 25.8, 26.7, 24.1 for the different storage positions, respectively. These results indicate that ostrich eggs must be stored at 21 °C or less after collection to maximise hatchability and that embryonic survival is not affected by storing position.