Correlation among Egg Weight, Hatchability, Hatch Weight, and Egg Shell Bacterial Load of Indigenous Duck in Bangladesh

Faria Islam Anee1, K.M. Mozaffor Hossain1, Md Zahirul Islam1, Prantor Karmaker1, Abdisamad Hassan Hussein2, Syed Sarwar Jahan1, and Md Shariful Islam1*

Abstract

An experiment was conducted using 290 hatching eggs from scavenging deshi ducks to examine the correlation between egg weight, hatch weight, hatchability, and eggshell bacterial load. The eggs were divided into three groups based on weight: G1 (<55 g), G2 (55-60 g), and G3 (>60 g), each with three replications. Bacteriological analysis was performed to assess microbial load. Results showed significant differences (p<0.01, p<0.05) in egg weights among the groups. Hatch weight also varied significantly (p<0.05) between G1 and the heavier groups (G2 and G3). A strong positive relationship was observed between egg weight and chick hatch weight, with G3 producing the heaviest chicks (38.5 g) from the largest eggs (63.45 g). The correlation between egg weight and hatch weight was significant (p<0.05, r = 0.633), and a very strong positive relationship was found between egg weight and hatchability (p<0.05, r = 0.99). Fertility and hatchability also showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.70). Microbial analysis revealed that E. coli was more prevalent than Salmonella sp. (27.77% vs. 18.88%), with both bacteria more common on the eggshell surface than in the inner contents. An irregular positive relationship was noted between microbial load (E. coli and Salmonella sp.) and hatchability. The study concluded that larger egg size (>60 g) at the time of setting positively influences fertility, hatchability, and chick hatch weight. However, the fertility and hatchability rates of scavenging duck eggs were below standard levels, highlighting the need to educate rural farmers on improving these parameters for better productivity. Overall, the findings emphasize the advantages of selecting larger eggs for hatching and addressing microbial contamination to enhance hatchability outcomes.Keywords: Correlation, Fertility, Hatchability, Egg weight, Hatch weight, Duck

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