Effects of transportation-induced jarring on ratite embryo development and hatching success

Advice is provided on five questions that were addressed by subjecting emu eggs, as a model for kiwi eggs, to transport-induced jarring during three stages of embryo development. The jarring associated with two kiwi egg recovery operations was also measured. Jarring during transportation had no demonstrable effect on embryo development, the need for hatching assistance, or the incidence of embryo malpositions. Jarring did not increase physical abnormalities or defects in developing or hatched chicks within the level of jarring applied in this experiment. There was no evidence that any stage of embryo development was more sensitive to jarring than any other stage. Maximum jarring occurred when transported on a quad, and when eggs were moved on to or into vehicles, including aircraft. Extreme care is needed at these times to avoid knocking the egg container against hard structures. Transportation by fixed-wing plane had higher average jarring than transport by car over either sealed or unsealed roads. The practice of holding egg transport boxes in vehicles should continue to minimise jarring. The reasons for continuing to transport eggs by air should be re-evaluated. Other factors during transport (e.g. temperature fluctuations, shock, torsional forces) were important to manage, and eggs should not be left sitting for prolonged periods during transportation as was the case with the Waimarino eggs.