Effects of egg weight and length of storage period on chick weight and hatchability performance of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

This study was carried out to determine the effects of storage period and egg weight on hatchability and chick weights of pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) eggs. Pheasant eggs were incubated in eight groups by the number of days the eggs were stored (0, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 days) and in four groups by egg weight [small (<30.00 g), medium (30.00-32.99 g), large (33.00-35.99 g) and extra large (>= 36.00 g)]. The effect of storage period on egg and chick weights was not significant (P > 0.05), whereas the effect of egg weight on chick weight was significant (P < 0.001). The effect of storage period on fertility, hatchability and hatchability of fertile eggs was not significant (P > 0.05). The effect of egg weight on fertility was not significant (P > 0.05), but the effect of egg weight on hatchability and hatchability of fertile eggs was significant (P < 0.05). The correlation between egg weight and chick weight (0.88) was significant (P < 0.001). It was concluded in this study that the storage period for pheasant eggs can be as long as 14 days and very large eggs should not be used for hatching since they decrease the hatchability.