Effects of Divergent Selection and Egg Status in Artificial Incubator on Reproductive Trait in Japanese Quail

Submitted: Jan 2, 2013; Accepted: Feb 6, 2013; Published: Aug 18, 2013 Abstract: This study was undertaken to determine the effects of divergent selection and different positions of Japanese quail eggs in artificial incubation on hatchability, egg weight loss, chick weight. 300 Japanese quail (100 birds in each line) were used for egg collection. These lines have been selected for high (HW) and low (LW) body weight for 9 generations and compared with control line(C). Average of 822 eggs (274 eggs in each line) was 14.19, 12.02 and 10.2 in HW, C and LW, respectively, all at 13 weeks of age. Based on eggs positions during incubation were divided into two experimental groups (137 eggs in each group in each line: vertical position with small end up, vertical position with small end down with turning). The eggs incubated in vertical and small end down had the higher hatchability (59.2%), while those incubated in vertical position with small end up presented the lower hatchability (8.5%). Egg position influenced water loss during incubation. The groups with better hatchability presented lower egg weight loss and better hatch weight. The eggs in HW had the lower hatchability and higher egg weight loss and better hatch weight.