Cassowary Incubation and Hatching: A Review of 4 Years of Hatching Data

摘要

The purpose of this presentation is to describe and discuss double wattle or southern cassowary (Cassuarius cassuarius) incubation and hatching. Prompt collection of each egg as it is laid enables some captive female cassowaries to produce over 20 eggs safely per year. Specific optimal incubation conditions are unique to cassowaries. Data demonstrates that spontaneous hatching prior to or assisted hatching by day 48 of incubation may be necessary to prevent dead-in-shells. These vitally dependent strategies improved embryo to chick survival rates (hatchability) from less than 5% to greater than 45% are discussed below.