Effects of transportation and storage duration of Japanese quail eggs on hatchability

G Çopur Akpınar,A Günenç

doi:10.4314/sajas.v49i2.6

G Çopur Akpınar, A Günenç

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v49i2.6

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Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of transportation from breeder’s farm to hatchery, and of storage duration on the hatchability of quail eggs. Hatching eggs were divided into two groups. The first group was stored for seven days and the second for 14 days. Half of each group was subjected to 200 km transportation before initiation of embryonic development, and the other half was not transported. Relative weight loss ratios varied significantly with storage duration, but did not vary after transportation. Hatchability of fertile eggs varied with storage duration and transportation, but only the effects of storage x transportation were found to be significant. Embryonic mortality for the first period of 14-day storage (22.1%) was significantly higher than those stored for seven days. In the second period (days 10 - 16), embryonic mortality ratios varied significantly with storage and transportation. Transportation after 7-day storage influenced the hatchability of fertile eggs negatively, compared with non-transported eggs stored for seven days. On the other hand, transportation after long-term storage had a higher hatchability of the fertile eggs than the non-transported eggs stored for the long time. These findings suggest that the vibration through transportation over the secondary road after long-term storage influenced the embryonic development of hatching eggs positively. Thus, the discarded chick ratio of the long-term + transport group was lower than short-term + transport group, and improved the hatchability of fertile eggs. Keywords: discarded chick, hatchability of fertile eggs, relative weight loss

Highlights

The hatching egg quality of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) is greatly influenced by breeder age and egg storage (Nowaczewski et al, 2010)
Each storage period had 1000 eggs, 2000 eggs were used in experiments
The differences in relative weight loss of the treatment groups throughout storage were found to be significant (P

Summary

Introduction

The hatching egg quality of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) is greatly influenced by breeder age and egg storage (Nowaczewski et al, 2010). Egg weight loss ratios increase throughout the storage period (Petek & Dikmen, 2004; Lacin et al, 2008; Dudusola, 2009; Baylan et al, 2011). It has been reported that quail eggs could preserve the desired quality attributes for storage periods shorter than four days (Dudusola, 2009). The transportation distances of hatching eggs, along with the other factors, may result in significant losses in yield and productivity level. Airline transportation of hatching eggs from breeder farms to hatcheries is increasing, road transport is still common. Hatching eggs are subjected to serious losses in quality in airline transport because of delays and custom processes (Anonymous, 2016)

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