A novel method for determining air cell location, embryo development, and eggshell defects in opaque thick-shelled eggs was tested. Results demonstrated that a camcorder with IR “Night Shot” function performed significantly better (P < 0.05) than unaided visual determination of air cell location in Emu eggs. In addition, the Mini DVC camcorder unit was as accurate as the heavier, non-portable, and more expensive traditional IR candling units. Commercial ratite producers, waterfowl biologists, and others working with opaque thick-shelled eggs may benefit from this research.
BoonL.A., and AnkneyC.D. (1999) Body size, nest initiation date, and egg production in Ruddy Ducks. Auk, 116, 228–231.
2.
ButcherG.D., and NilipourA.H. (2002) Management of hatching eggs and broiler performance. Document VM128 of the Veterinary Medicine-Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
3.
CartwrightA.L. (2000) Incubating and hatching eggs. Document B-6092 of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX.
4.
DuttonC.J., and TieberA. (2001) A modified protocol for sex identification of in ovo avian embryos and its application as a management tool for endangered species conservation programs. J. Zoo Wildl. Med., 32, 176–180.
5.
JeffreyJ.S., MartinG.P., and FanguyR.C. (1996) The incubation of Ratite eggs. Document L-5166 of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX.
6.
RomanoffA.L., and RomanoffA.J. (1949) The avian egg.John Wiley & Sons Inc.
7.
SPSS Inc. (2004) SPSS. Version 13.0 [computer program].SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL.
8.
WellerM.W. (1956) A simple field candler for waterfowl eggs. J. Wildl. Manage., 20, 111–113.
9.
WiercinskaM., and SzczerbinskaD. (2005) The Ostrich and Emu egg hatchability with reference to dead embryo analysis. Electr. J. Polish Agr. U., Biology, 8, 1–13.
WilsonH.R. (1996) Incubation and hatching of Ratites. Animal Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Services, University of Florida. Document PS11.
12.
WilsonH.R. (2004) Hatchability problem analysis. Animal Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Services, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Document CIR1112.
13.
WongS. (1998) Estimating the hatch dates of Australian brush-turkey embryos by candling. Wildl. Res., 25, 669–676.
14.
YoungA.D. (1988) A portable candler for birds’ eggs. J. Field Ornithol., 59, 266–268.
