Study of the Egg Attributes of the Japanese Quail (Cortunix Cortunix Japonica) Raised in Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The egg attributes of the Nigerian indigenous quail were studied in three agro- ecological zone of Gombe state, namely; Gombe Central, South and North to assess the external and internal attributes of the egg. 90 fresh eggs were randomly collected from these zones comprising of 30 eggs per zone from quail farmers for assessment. Data were collected on egg weight, egg length egg width, egg shell weight, shell thickness and the internal egg characteristics were albumen height, yolk height, albumen weight, yolk weight and Haugh unit. Results indicated that egg weight values were 9.807±0.117, 9.942±0.130 and 10.004±0.114g in Gombe Central, South and North. Shell weights were 1.177±0.009g for Gombe Central, 1.193±0.010g in Gombe South and 1.206±0.012g in the North. Shell thickness showed that Gombe Central recorded 0.035±0.001mm, South 0.0252±0.001mm and North 0.0253±0.001mm with overall mean of 0.0286±0.001. Apart from egg width and shell thickness which were significantly different (P<0.001) by location, other parameters of egg weight and length, shell weight and shell surface area were not affected by location. Albumen weights were 3.308±0.02, 3.288±0.03 and 3.327±0.03mm in Gombe Central, South and North. Yolk weight were 10.390±0.10g in Gombe Central, 9.550±0.12g Gombe South, 9.343±0.13g Gombe North with total average of 9.927±0.084g. Yolk heights were 3.692±0.013, 3.448±0.04, and 3.426±0.03mm in Gombe Central, South and North, respectively. Haugh unit of 80.021±0.26 were recorded in Gombe Central, 78.925±0.26 in the South and 78.614±0.26 in the North of Gombe, the overall Haugh unit was 79.507±0.161, respectively. Apart from egg weight which was not significant, albumen height, yolk weight, yolk height and Haugh unit were significantly (P<0.001) affected by location. Egg weight was correlated with egg length (0.796; P<0.01), shell weight (0.226; P<0.05) and Haugh unit (-0.461; P<0.01). Albumen weight was correlated with Haugh unit (0.240; P<0.05). Yolk weight was correlated with yolk height (0.300; P<0.01), and Haugh unit (0.269; P<0.05). The findings reveal that the quail in the study area has good egg and reproductive attributes and the positive correlated responses can help breeders for quick selection for further genetic improvement.