COLLECTION, HANDLING AND CARE OF EGGS.
Ostrich generally lay eggs every other day. Studies have shown that storing eggs for a period of from 7 to 10 days generally results in better hatchability and egg storage is recommended. Eggs can be gathered daily, placed either on their side or upright, and maintained at between 65 and 70 F. Eggs should be turned several times a day.
Collection of eggs and proper handling is important to successful hatching. Many producers use disposable gloves to handle and gather eggs. Others use a similar idea employing disposable plastic bags while still others simply wash and clean their hands thoroughly before handling eggs. Which ever the case, the idea is to prevent unnecessary contamination of the egg.
Many products are available for cleaning and sanitizing eggs once collected. A variety of dips, sprays, and similar products are marketed and used widely. While the use of such agents is heavily debated, should contamination problems occur, the use of cleaners and sanitation products can be effective. If dips, sprays, or washes are used, read the directions carefully and follow the recommended procedures outlined by the manufacturer.
Eggs laid in wet weather are the most likely to become contaminated. This is usually the result of soil bacteria being taken into the egg while the egg is sitting in water or mud. Occasionally, reproductive tract infections in the hen can also result in bacterial contamination of the egg. A complete bacteriologic examination by a veterinary diagnostic laboratory can provide insight into these problems and is strongly recommended when an abnormally large number of eggs are contaminated.
Many new products which sterilize the egg shell, the air or the working area in the incubator room now available to producers. These products all have merit when attempting to correct a diagnosed contamination problem. The use of these products as a eans of preventing potential contamination can be considered in any operation's biosecurity plan.