Influence of Storage Period on Egg Quality Characteristics, Hatching Results, Productive Performance and Behaviour of Hatched Japanese Quail Chicks

Abstract

Key words:behaviour, T-maze, open field, egg storage, hatchability, embryo mortalities, growth performance, Japanese quailThe objective of this study was evaluating the effect of storage duration of Japanese quail eggs for two, seven and fourteen days before incubation on egg quality traits, egg weight loss, hatchability, growth performance and behaviour (exploratory behaviour, fearfulness, learning ability and memory) of birds as those behaviours were measured by performing open field test and spatial learning test. A total of 740 fertile eggs stored at 23°C and 65% humidity and divided into three treatments (Each treatment represented with four replicates), treatment 1 (T1) = egg stored for two days, treatment 2 (T2) = eggs were stored for seven days and treatment 3 (T3) = eggs were stored for 14 days. A significant effect of egg storage period on Haugh unit, yolk index and albumen Percentage were recorded. Weight loss and embryonic mortality rates increased when egg storage prolonged. Hatch weight and body weight at 5th week of age were significantly decreased in T3 birds. Also prolonged egg storage negatively affected the exploratory behaviour, fearfulness, learning ability and memory of birds. Birds of T1 exhibit more exploratory behaviour due to decreased fearfulness and higher learning ability and stronger memory than birds of T2 and T3 that considered as second grade chicks.