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Goose Embryo Development

A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development

Published: March 16, 2010
By: Pécsi, A., Kozák, J. Nikodémusz, E.
Abstract: A photographic guide to goose embryo development is compiled to help visually determining time of embryo mortality in eggs during incubation.
Introduction
Goose eggs can be particularly difficult to hatch due to their large size, the hardness of their shells, and the need to cool them regularly. The incubation period of goose eggs takes about 30 days and percent hatch generally does not exceed 70 %.
Candling of hatching eggs during incubation and examination of the clear eggs or dead embryos is a useful tool for poultry hatchery managers.
As a general practice adopted at the Goose Breeding Research Station of the Gödöllő University, goose eggs candled out from the incubator were subjected to a careful examination to identify hatching problems. To help determining time of embryonic mortality in eggs a series of colour photographs were taken on known-age embryos. This collection of reference photos enabled us to compile a photographic guide to goose embryo development and make it available here.
Materials and Methods
A total of 70 eggs were collected from a Hungarian Upgraded Goose flock of the Goose Breeding Research Station and incubated in a laboratory hatchery. Individual eggs were removed from the incubator at 1-3 day intervals until day 26 of incubation. For each interval, one-two eggs were opened using standard procedure then, visually inspected and photographed. Regretfully, no measurements were taken on eggs or embryos as the colour photos were originally designed for "domestic use".
Results
Following is a photographic depiction of goose embryo development, based on prominent external characteristics visible to the unaided eye (Fig. 1)
Day 1:  Blastoderm visible in a fertile egg opened after 12 hours incubation.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 1
Day 2:  Blastoderm without embryo: the blood ring indicates a dead and probably abnormal embryo from a fertile egg opened after 48 hours incubation.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 2
Day 3:  Blood islands apparent in yolk sac after 62 hours incubation.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 3
Day 4: A small, centrally located embryo visible with prominent vitelline vessels after 86 hours incubation; head fold present but no tail fold.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 4
Day 5:  Elongated embryo showing early pigmentation of eyes after 100 hours incubation.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 5
Day 6:  Iris pigmented, limb buds are noticeable.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 6
Day 9:  Embryo discernible in amniotic sac and allantois also visible.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 7
Day 10: Digits appear on wings.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 8
Day 11: Embryo (got rid of foetal membranes) with well discernible body parts.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 9
Day 12: Embryo with well-developed limbs. Feather germs begin to appear on the back.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 10
Day 14: Beginning of bill noticeable, down already visible on the back.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 11
Day 15:  Eyelid reaches the pupil, down noticeable on the back and tip of the tail.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 12
Day 17: Down also visible on dorsal part of the neck.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 13
Day 18: Embryo covered by down is visible in a characteristic posture.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 14
Day 19: Embryo well-developed and completely feathered; transverse ridges noticeable at metatarsi.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 15
Day 20: Feathers and bill pigmented, eyelids still not completely closed.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 16
Day 24:Scutes visible on tarsus ending in unguis. Eyelids nearly closed. Uric acid crystals in allantois fluid indicate total utilisation of protein
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 17
Day 25: Eyelids close the eyes.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 18
Day 26: Eyes open; yolk sac partly absorbed in abdominal cavity.
A Photographic Guide to Goose Embryo Development - Image 19
At day 27-28 of incubation, egg tooth may penetrate shell membranes (pulmonary respiration begins) or shell may be piped. Finally, at day 29-30 the fully formed embryo with yellow feather colour emerges as hatched gosling.
Conclusion
This photographic guide has been used at the Goose Breeding Research Station and found helpful in research and practice of hatching goose eggs. Hopefully, other goose experts may also make use of this guide.
Related topics
Authors:
Etelka Nikodemusz
Szent István University
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Janos Kozak
Szent István University
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Grzegorz Wozniakowski
National Veterinary Research Institute (Poland)
19 de agosto de 2011
That's really impressive article! Thank you.
Mehmet YAZICIOGLU
17 de febrero de 2024
Hello
Nice work.
Can I use the pictures in my graduation thesis?
Wendy Kowalski
16 de julio de 2023
Once the air pocket is dark, how much longer must the egg be incubated?
Victor
14 de marzo de 2021

Hello can I know after day 7 the yolk will stay or it will moving when you turn the egg for checking (flashlight)
Regards.

Nancy Moss Miller
16 de marzo de 2020
Have you removed many of the photos from this article? I have used it as a reference to envision goose embryos’ progress during incubation and I’m disappointed that the photos are gone.
Thee Maria Smith
5 de julio de 2015
Fantastic article Thank you
Atef Abou Zead
18 de enero de 2015
Excellent article, Thanks
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