Effects of the Dietary Blue-Green Algae (Spirulina platensis) Supplementation and Egg Storage Period on Egg Quality Traits, Blastoderm Characteristics and Hatching Results of Mast Geese (Anser anser)

This study aimed to determine the effects of the dietary Spirulina platensis supplementation and egg storage period on egg quality traits, blastoderm characteristics and hatching results of Mast geese. For this purpose, the control group was fed the standard enterprise diet, while the experimental group received the same diet supplemented with 0.5% S. platensis. Quality traits of the eggs (shape index, shell thickness, breaking strength, albumen/yolk ratio, albumen index and yolk colour) were evaluated according to diet groups. Except for the yolk ratio of these traits, the mean values obtained from the experimental group were higher than the mean values obtained from the control group (p < 0.05; p < 0.001). Dietary supplementation of S. platensis did not affect blastoderm diameter (BD) but significantly increased the blastoderm viable cells (BVCs) (p < 0.001). Although early embryonic mortality (EEM) was statistically significantly affected by diet groups and storage time, late embryonic mortality (LEM) was affected only by diet groups (p < 0.001). Dietary S. platensis supplementation significantly increased pipped (PIP) classified under the LEM (p < 0.001). Storage period affected internal and external egg traits at different statistical significance levels. As the storage time increased, the breaking strength (p < 0.05), albumen ratio, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit decreased (p < 0.01; p < 0.001), while the yolk ratio, and albumen pH increased (p < 0.001). An increase in BD, and a decrease in BVCs were determined with prolonged storage period (p < 0.001). In the classification of LEM, the storage period significantly affected unabsorbed yolk sac (UYS) and the PIP. With prolonged storage time, UYS and PIP significantly increased (p < 0.05; p < 0.01), which is classified under LEM. According to these results, we suggest that S. platensis supplementation to goose diets would be beneficial, but the detailed further studies are needed for more effective results.