This chapter provides the necessary technical guidelines to assist the producer in the management of the different critical points at the beginning of the production cycle for rainbow trout.
The human component is certainly a very important part of handling eggs properly. Hatchery staff with thorough technical training are able to take fast action to deal with any setbacks that may arise during the egg handling process.
Materials and equipment must be washed and disinfected before and after use in the reception of eggs. These disinfectants must be for aquaculture and environmentally friendly (quaternary ammonia or organic iodine). The manufacturer's instructions should be followed. These materials and surfaces must be well-rinsed before direct use on the eggs.
Water quality monitoring is very important throughout the trout production cycle, and this requires a lot of attention. It is key to know the times of the day and/or season when you have a better water quality, whether in temperature, dissolved oxygen, or other parameters. Monitoring can be done with simple equipment like thermometers or more complex equipment such as multiparameter devices. This will allow you to know how the water quality changes during the day and over the historical time frame of the farm.
Facilities should be checked in advance to ensure they are in optimal condition regardless if the hatchery is large industrial or small artisan. The important thing is that the system is sanitary and in proper operation. The flow of water should be as expected and without leakage of water or eggs. Incubators must have the appropriate dimensions that allow for proper management of the planned egg density, with optimal water flow and the possibility for adequate cleaning and extraction of waste.
Materials for receiving eggs:
Once the eggs arrive in the importing city or country, they must be carefully reviewed by a representative of the importing company. Any irregularities in your receipt, as well as the time and conditions at which it was received, must be reported.
For transportation to the hatchery, the shipping boxes must be upright and in good condition. From receipt at the airport to arrival at the hatchery, the cargo should be the responsibility of the importer. Transport must occur in the shortest possible time in refrigerated trucks or containers to preserve the temperature of the eggs inside the shipping boxes.
The journey:
