Breeding Egg Production Record Keeping Charts

Essential Data Keeping of Reproductive Activity

Detailed data keeping of reproductive activity is essential to ensure proper breeding pair evaluation. This Egg Chart was formulated at the HARI facility to simplify the record keeping of every egg laid by a pair, to aid in the assessment of fertility success or challenges. This chart will enable aviculturists to document specific information pertaining to each egg laid regardless of its fertility or hatching success.

Information to Keep on Record

When inspecting each egg closely and recording as many characteristics as possible, conditions responsible for unsuccessful reproduction can be unveiled. Regrettably, if aviculturists rely solely on evaluating the successfully hatched chicks from a clutch, valuable information may be lost.

Assessment of the pairs’ brooding behaviour, incubation skills, the size of the clutch, the condition of the eggs when inspected in the nest, specific characteristics (egg measurements, shape, condition of the shell, thickness, calcium deposits ,streaks, cracks, pip holes etc.) of individual eggs within a clutch can be compiled throughout the pairs reproductive life stage.

Nest and flight design, husbandry issues, environmental stressors can be re-evaluated should characteristic associated with these factors be highlighted (i.e. eggs were resting on inadequate nest substrate, dirty nest & eggs, wet or excessively dry conditions within the nest).
Examples of parental neglect due to incompatibility of the pair, inexperience, disturbances in the proximity of the pairs nest or environment, can be revealed when characteristics on eggs are noted (i.e. trauma to the shells, soiled feces stuck to shell, improper incubation or turning are observed).

Future Reference is Essential

The reasons for retrieving an egg for artificial incubation should also be recorded for future reference. Assessment of fertility and or stages of embryonic death can also provide valuable insights as to the nutritional health and possible medical or disease concerns that could be affecting the viability of the embryo. Your avian veterinarian can also use this valuable data to help you assess the health of your breeding pair. This chart was designed to be used in combination to the breeding pair evaluation chart and the individual health assessment chart. Viable eggs retrieved to artificial incubation can be monitored daily with the egg incubation chart.