Objective
To investigate the pathological causes of late embryonic death in ostrich hatcheries and their economic impact in Egypt.
Methods
The study was conducted from February 2023 through December 2024. The pathological causes, microbiological
analysis, and financial impact of late embryonic deaths across 9 ostrich hatcheries in Egypt were investigated.
Results
A total of 1,250 fertile ostrich eggs failed to hatch. The highest mortality rate was observed in Ismailia at 28.88%,
whereas the lowest was recorded in Giza at 15.62%. The cumulative economic loss across all hatcheries was estimated at 1,750,000 Egyptian pounds. The bacterial infections were the leading cause of late embryonic death,
accounting for 813 cases (65.04%), followed by improper incubation conditions, such as elevated temperatures
(22.48%), edema (5.12%), malpositioning (3.6%), improper egg turning (2.56%), and fungal infections (1.2%). The
most commonly isolated bacterial were Enterococcus spp, Salmonella spp, Proteus spp, and Klebsiella spp. Gross
post mortem examination of dead-in-shell embryos revealed consistent lesions, including anasarca, SC and visceral
congestion, unabsorbed yolk sacs, and malpositioning. Microscopic evaluation of embryos that died due to bacterial
infections revealed severe inflammatory changes in multiple organs.
Conclusions
The infectious and noninfectious factors contribute to late embryonic mortality in ostrich hatcheries, with bacterial contamination being the dominant cause. The embryos that died revealed severe pathological lesions in
various organs.
Clinical Relevance
The study highlights the urgent need for improved hatchery hygiene, biosecurity, and strict control of incubation
conditions to enhance hatchability and reduce economic losses in the ostrich industry in Egypt. |
