External Egg Quality Research Articles

Egg quality in different lines of New Hampshire and Giriraja chicken

This study was undertaken to evaluate the egg quality parameters of New Hampshire and Giriraja by maintaining four different flocks (lines) of New Hampshire viz. NH-Khajura, NH-Parwanipur, NH-Khumaltar and NH-Pokhara and three different flocks (lines) of Giriraja viz. GR-Pakhribas, GR-Khumaltar and GR-Tarhara. The 40-60 weeks of hatchability, fertility, external and internal egg quality parameters were studied and recorded. A total of 200 birds (40 weeks of age) of each New Hampshire and Giriraja from each line were maintained on deep litter system. Results from this study indicated the significant effect of genotype and respective lines on fertility and hatchability of eggs. Significant (P<0.05) variation in fertility and no significant variation in hatchability for genotypes were found. However, in terms of fertility and hatchability, there were significant variations in different lines. In case of egg weight: no significant (P<0.01) variation was obtained for genotype but lines comparison showed significant variation. Other external egg quality parameters like egg length, egg diameter, shape index, shell thickness were examined for evaluating the genotype and line effect. In all these external egg quality parameters, there were significant (P<0.01) effect of both genotype and lines of birds. For internal egg qualities, yolk weight (g), yolk index, albumen weight and albumen index were checked. Genotype had no significant (P<0.01) effect but lines had significant (P<0.01) effect on yolk weight. In case of yolk index, both genotype and lines of bird had no significant effect. For albumen weight and albumen index, genotype of birds had no significant (P<0.01) effect but lines of bird had significant (P<0.01) effect on both parameters. The study showed that the egg quality parameters of NH (Khajura) were better than that of GR. Among different lines New Hampshire (Khajura) showed better performance in terms of egg quality parameter.
 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (2): 108-118

Influence of selection for egg production on egg quality traits in Japanese quail

The current study investigated the influence of selection for increased egg production on external and internal egg quality traits over five generations in Japanese quail. A total of 4325 fresh eggs from 1326 females were collected each week during the egg-laying period to estimate heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations, and correlated response of external and internal egg quality traits to selection for egg number (EN). The direct response to selection indicated an increase of 7.7 ± 0.27 eggs produced during the 90 days following production of the first egg. The correlated responses to selection indicated that selection for higher EN can be expected to increase EW and increase egg quality. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0. 11 to 0.35 for external egg quality traits and from 0.08 to 0.32 for internal egg quality traits. Estimates of the genetic correlations of EN with external and internal traits were positive, ranging from 0.09 to 0.25 and from 0.02 to 0.27, respectively. These estimates indicated few if any genetic antagonisms that would adversely affect selection response. However, eggshell thickness would not be expected to change as a result of selection for EN. Thus, the external and internal quality of Japanese quail eggs could be improved by selection for high egg production.

Effect of adding different levels of celery seeds powder with or without supplementation of exogenous enzymes upon the cost of feed for egg production and the external and internal quality of quail eggs.

Effect of adding different levels of celery seeds powder with or without supplementation of exogenous enzymes upon the cost of feed for egg production and the external and internal quality of quail eggs.

Effect of storage duration and temperature on daily changes in external and internal egg quality of eggs from Dekalb White® laying hens

Abstract A total of 330 eggs from Dekalb® White laying hens at full laying peak were collected the same day and randomly distributed into 165 eggs stored at room temperature (26. 50°C ±Â 5.48) and 165 eggs at a controlled temperature (7. 8°C ±Â 0.01) over 10 days. The daily changes in external and internal egg quality were determined using automatic equipment. Egg weight loss (EWL), albumen height (AH), and Haugh unit (HU) decreased (P = 0.001) in the eggs stored at room temperature during the experiment, where the ninth day was the limit for human consumption. Also, the yolk colour (YC) decreased (P = 0.001) from the sixth to tenth day. Even though significant changes were found at the controlled temperature (P = 0.001 for EWL, AH, HU and P = 0.045 for breaking strength), HU indicated that eggs were suitable for consumption. Likewise, a significant correlation was found for the measured indicators, emphasising AH and HU (P < 0.01), and linear regression with R 2 0.95 and 0.96 for room and controlled temperature, respectively. All indicators had a significant interaction (P = 0.001 and P = 0.004 for YC) considering the storage duration and temperature, except egg weight (P = 0.573) and breaking strength (P = 0.081). The results indicate that temperature-controlled egg storage maintains egg freshness for up to 10 days on the shelf. But, egg quality is reduced daily at room temperature stored eggs, mainly EWL, AH, and HU. Furthermore, storage duration and temperature significantly influenced the external and internal egg quality. Moreover, AH and HU have a high degree of association and statistical dependence under both storage methods.

Phenotypic relations between egg weight and other egg quality traits of South Eastern Nigeria local chicken

The experiment was carried out with a total of one hundred and fifty eggs, which were collected from a local chicken variety of southeastern Nigeria hens reared in a cage system. The objective of this study was to determine the phenotypic relationship between egg weight and the other egg quality traits. The mean values related to the external egg quality traits - egg weight (EW), egg length (EL), egg breadth (EB), egg shape index (EST), shell weight (SW) and shell thickness (ST) were 38.99 g, 49.98 mm, 36.66 mm, 0.73, 4.05 g and 0.34 mm respectively. The internal egg quality traits – albumen height (AH), albumen weight (AW), yolk height (YH), yolk weight (YW) and Haugh unit (HU) have the following mean values, 7.53 mm, 19.86 g, 16.80 mm, 12.62 g and 65.21 respectively. There were significant (P&lt;0.01) positive phenotypic correlations between EW and EL, EW and EB, EW and SW, and between EW and all the internal quality traits except HU - which had a non significant (P&gt;0.01) negative correlation. Significant negative correlation was found between EW and ESI. It was concluded that it was feasible to assess some egg quality traits through the egg weight. This is important in view of integrating the local chicken into egg laying breeding programs in Nigeria.&#x0D;

Effects of Storage Period, Marketing Channels and Season on Internal and External Quality of Commercial Table Eggs Marketed in Riyadh City (Saudi Arabia)

ABSTRACT Very sparse information is available regarding quality of commercial Table eggs marketed in Riyadh city. The objective of the current study was to evaluate egg quality by determining the internal and external traits of commercial Table eggs marketed in different marketing channels during the summer and winter. Commercial eggs (n = 1440) were bought from four different supermarkets and groceries during the winter and summer season 2018- 2019. A total of 30 eggs were collected monthly from each marketing channel in the winter and summer. Then, individually numbered, weighed and randomly broken down into three empirical groups and stored for 0, 7 or 14 days. The outcomes show that seven and fourteen days of storage led to significant decrease in Haugh unit values, yolk index, specific gravity, shell thickness and shell weight per unit of surface area, and increase in yolk color grade, yolk albumin ratio, yolk and albumin pH and air cell depth. Eggs acquired from supermarkets had significantly higher Haugh unit values and yolk index, and lower yolk color grades, shell density and air cell depth, than those bought from groceries. Eggs that were collected in winter season are found to have significantly higher Haugh unit values, yolk index, specific gravity, shell thickness, shell density, shell weight per unit of surface area and yolk color, and lower, yolk albumin ratio, air cell depth, albumin and yolk pH than those acquired in the summer season eggs. This study showed that the storage period, marketing channels and season play a significant role in affecting quality traits of Table eggs, also those procured from supermarkets and in the winter presented better quality than those found in groceries or in the summer, respectively.

Evaluation of Some External and Internal Egg Quality Traits of Pati Duck Reared in Assam

Evaluation of Some External and Internal Egg Quality Traits of Pati Duck Reared in Assam

The Effect of Genotype and Age of Layer Breeders on Egg Quality Traits

The external and internal qualities of 120 eggs (60:60) from Isa Brown (IB) and Bovan Nera (BN) layer breeders were evaluated at 15th and 30th week of their production. The genotypes differed significantly (P&lt;0.09) m external egg quality traits except egg weight and egg length. IB recorded higher values in egg width, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, shape index and shell ratio than BN, while the reverse trend was for egg length. This implies that IB genotype produced eggs with thicker shells than BN, which invariably will lead to a reduction in the rate of cracks and leakages both on the farm and in the hatchery thereby enhancing better hatchability. The age effect was significant (P&lt;0.05) for all the external egg quality traits. The analysis showed that eggs produced at 30th week were better in terms of external quality traits with the exception of egg shape index. There was positive and significant (P &lt;0.05) interaction effect between genotype and age on eggshell width and shell ratio but not for other traits. As regards internal egg quality traits, the genotypes differed significantly (P&lt;0.05) in all the traits except yolk width, yolk height and albumen weight. IB recorded higher (P&lt;0.05) values in yolk weight, albumen width and yolk ratio than BN, while the latter recorded higher values in albumen height, albumen ratio and haugh unit (HU) than the former The effect of age on internal traits was positive and significant (P&lt;0.05) with the exception f yolk width, albumen width, yolk ratio and albumen ratio. The result showed that the 30th week analyses recorded higher (P&lt;0.05) values in these traits than 15th week. This implies that the quality of breeding eggs improves with the advancing age of the birds. Breed x age interactions were significant for yolk weight and albumen width but not found for other traits. IB genotype was considered the best for external egg quality traits and produced thicker eggshell. However, BN genotype produced superior egg quality than lB having recorded higher values (P&lt; 0.05) in HU, which is a determinant of egg quality

Effect of dietary Abelmoschus esculentus leaf meal on performance and egg quality indices of laying hens

Twelve weeks feeding trial involving 75 point of lay hens of black Harco breed was carried out to study the effects of dietary inclusion of Abelmoschus esculentus leaf meal (AELM) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of the birds. Fresh Abelmoschus esculentus leaves were harvested, spread out and air-dried in a green house and allowed to dry for 6 days until it became crispy. The branches were threshed carefully to separate the leaf from the twig before milling to fine particle size to form Abelmoschus esculentus leaf meal (AELM). Proximate analysis of AELM and dietary treatments were analyzed Gross energy of leaf meal was carried out using an adiabatic bomb calorimeter model CAL 2k. The 75 birds were grouped into five dietary treatments comprising 15 birds each in a completely randomized (CRD) design. The treatments were further subdivided into three replicates of five birds each. Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated as_0, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% inclusion levels in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The result of the proximate composition of AELM showed that the crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat or ether extract, ash and ME values were 13.15, 10.11, 6.0% and 1308.41 Kcal/kg respectively. Average final weight, average weight gain, feed intake and hen- day production were significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected by the inclusion level of Abelmoschus esculentus leaf meal. Birds in the control group and those fed diet containing 5% Abelmoschus esculentus leaf meal had similar final weight (1.53kg) and higher than other treatment groups. The highest (P&lt;0.05) hen-day production was recorded at 5% inclusion level while 2.5%, 7.5% and 10% levels had comparable values ( 49.13, 46.98 and 49.21). Internal and external egg qualities as affected by AELM inclusion levels showed that the egg, shell, yolk, albumen weights were significantly (P&lt; 0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments with the group of birds on 10% recording highest values. Significant (P&lt;0.05) improvement in yolk weight and colour was observed in the AELM treated birds compared to the control. The total lipid profile of eggs revealed significant (P&lt;0.05) differences in the cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein values measured. A linear trend was observed in the recorded cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein (HDL) values. The values decreased with increased AELM inclusion. It can therefore be concluded at the level of this study that Abelmoschus esculentus leaf meal inclusion in the diet of laying birds improved performance and egg quality indices with desirable aesthetic effect on egg yolk colour.

Influence of strain and production cycle on egg quality traits of two Nigerian indigenous chicken strains

Records obtained from purebred normal feather and naked neck Nigerian indigenous chicken strains were used to assess the influence of strain and production cycle on external and internal egg quality traits. The assessment commenced from first lay to 120 days of lay, classified into four production cycles (PC): PC1 (1-30 days of lays), PC2 (31-60 days of lays), PC3 (61-90 days of lays), and PC4 (91-120 days of lays). Mean egg weight, length and breadth were 4.34% heavier, 2.10% longer and 1.72% wider in the normal feather than in the naked neck (p&lt;0.05). No disparity due to strain effect was found in egg shape index. Eggshells from the two strains had similar weight but varied in thickness with shells from the naked neck being 0.02mm thicker than those from the normal feather (p&lt;0.05). Eggs from the normal feather were 7.13, 5.76, 5.00, 7.10 and 8.11% superior in albumen weight, yolk height, albumen height, yolk index, and albumen index, respectively compared to its naked neck counterpart (p&lt;0.05). Production cycle significantly influenced all external egg quality studied. An increase of 16.21% in egg weight was obtained by PC4. Egg length and breadth increased consistently with each subsequent PC (p&lt;0.05) whereas egg shape index decreased with PC (p&lt;0.05). Higher values were recorded for yolk weight, yolk and albumen length and width in each subsequent production cycle. Haugh unit, yolk and albumen height had best values at PC2. Our findings indicate that strain type and production cycle highly influenced egg quality traits of Nigerian indigenous chickens with the normal feather showing superiority. Furthermore, the best internal quality was obtained at PC2 (31-60 days of lay). Our findings could be useful in choosing selection criterion traits in breeding plans for the development of different layer lines of normal feather and naked neck.

Effect of phenotype on egg quality characteristics of F1 locally-adapted Turkey of Nigeria

The local breeds of animals in Nigeria deserve improvement in their genetic profile and physiological status. A total of 78 day-old Random-bred Nigeria local turkey poults were used as parent stock to generate another 232 day-old poults (F 1) to evaluate the Nigerian local turkey phenotypes based on egg quality parameters. Three phenotypic classes (black, white and spotted) were obtained as base population and used to generate F1 progeny for the study. Experimental design for the experiment was a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with phenotypic class as major factor of interest and hatches as block. The egg quality characteristics, namely egg weight, egg length, egg width, egg shape index were the external egg quality characteristics while the internal egg quality characteristics include the albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width and Haugh Unit. These egg parameters were significantly (p&lt;0.05) highest in the black variety. Shell thickness, albumen height and yolk index were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) in the three local turkey phenotypes. Generally, the black varieties had highest values internal egg quality traits. It is therefore, concluded that for rapid improvement of these traits, the black variety could be used to enhance egg quality and reproduction of Nigerian local turkeys in the study area. The present findings could assist in the design of long-term genetic improvement programmes for turkey production in Nigeria.

Production and egg quality traits of organic hens in a laying period under commercial conditions in Turkey

The productive performance and egg quality traits of hens in an organic production system in Turkey were executed in this paper. A total of 6000 hens were reared in an organic system for 72 weeks. Two organic certified houses each with a capacity of 3000 hens were used in the study. Mean egg production during the laying period was 303 eggs per hen. Laying rate was 80.24% for 72 weeks, while mortality was 8.85%. The internal and external egg quality traits were determined between 25 and 72 weeks. Mean egg weight was 63.03 g and shell thickness was 0.35 mm. Shape index was significantly decreased with age (P < 0.01). Mean shape index value was 76.34%. Shell breaking strength was highest (3.60 kg/cm$^{2}$) at peak production and decreased with age (P < 0.01). Haugh unit was 98.19 and highest at 25 weeks and significantly decreased with age (P < 0.01). Mean Haugh unit was 80.39. Albumen index was highest at 25 weeks and significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Conversely, yolk index significantly increased with age (P < 0.01).

Analysis of quality and prediction of external and internal egg traits in Mexican native turkey hens

This study aimed to evaluate external and internal quality traits and determine prediction equations for some of these traits in eggs of Mexican native turkey hens. A total of 72 eggs from native turkey hens in the laying stage raised in rural municipality of Villaflores, Chiapas were measured. The external traits evaluated were: egg weight (EW), polar diameter (PD), equatorial diameter (ED), egg shape index (SI), shell weight (SW), shell percentage (SP), egg surface area (ESA) and shell weight per unit surface area (SSA). The internal traits were: albumen height (AH), yolk height (YH), albumen weight (AW), yolk weight (YW), Haugh units (HU), albumen percentage (AP), yolk percentage (YP) and yolk color (YC). The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and linear regression using the SAS program, ver. 9.4. The values obtained for the external egg quality traits showed greater variability. Pearson's correlation coefficients between external and internal traits were positive and moderately significant (P &lt;0.05), as well as highly significant (P &lt;0.0001), and ranged from r = 0.31 (EW vs PD) to r = 0.99 (ED vs ESA). All linear regression equations to predict EW, SW, AW and YW were found to be significant (&lt;.0001). The best predictors of EW were PD, SI, SW and ESA (R2 = 76%). SW and YW traits can be adequately predicted using the EW and SI values together (R2 = 59% and R2 = 74%, respectively), while the AW can be predicted from the EW (R2 = 33%). Based on the results obtained, it is suggested to implement selection programs to improve the quality parameters of the native turkey hen egg in Mexico.

Egg quality characteristics of layer hens fed varying levels of yellow cocoyam corm meal (&lt;i&gt;Xanthosoma sagittifolium&lt;/i&gt;) as energy source

This experiment was carried out to determine the effect of sun-dried cocoyam corm meal (SDCCM) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of layer hens. Poultry industry in Nigeria is faced with numerous challenges among which is the scarcity and high cost of poultry feed fueled by high cost of energy and protein feed feedstuffs such as maize, sorghum, oat, millet etc. Cocoyam corm meal has been discovered as cheaper energy source than grains such as maize or wheat and was used to formulate layer hens’ diets as energy source at 0.0%, 10.0%, 15.0% and 20% levels of inclusion respectively. These were used to feed a batch of one hundred and twenty (120) Isa brown pullets starting at their point of lay for a fifty-six (56) days feeding trial. The birds were grouped into four treatments of 30 hens per group and replicated three times with 10 birds per group in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Proximate composition of the experimental material was evaluated while the laying hens performance and egg quality characteristics were determined. The results obtained showed no treatment effect (P&gt;0.05) for all the performance characteristics except for feed cost and hen – day egg production which were significantly reduced (P&lt;0.05) in the test diets at 20% dietary levels. Similarly, all the external egg quality characteristics measured in this study were similar (P&gt;0.05) in all the treatments means except for egg shell weight which was reduced significantly (P&lt;0.05) in T4 (20% DCCM). However, all the treatment groups retained similar (P&lt;0.05) egg shell thickness and were within the range of 0.30 – 0.36mm reported for egg shell thickness. However, for internal egg quality characteristics, results obtained in all the treatment means were similar (P&gt;0.05). Albumen height and haugh unit values were, 7.19, 7.36, 7.13, and 7.23cm and 83.75, 83.79, 82.53 and 83.80 respectively. It was therefore concluded that dried cocoyam corm meal is an ideal feed ingredient in layer hen’s diets at 20% inclusion level.&#x0D; Keywords: Performance, egg quality characteristics, layer hens and sun-dried cocoyam corm meal.

Performance and egg quality of Embrapa 051 laying hens subjected to different feeding programs

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and egg quality of Embrapa 051 lineage laying hens compared to a commercial line (Lohmann Brown) when subjected to different feeding programs. Trial consisted of a randomized complete block design, with four treatments: T1 - Lohmann Brown Line receiving 100% basal diet; T2 - Embrapa 051 Line receiving 93% basal diet; T3 - Embrapa 051 line receiving 100% basal diet; and T4 - Embrapa 051 lineage receiving 107% basal diet. The treatments had five replicates each. The basal diet was that recommended by the Lohmann Brown line manual. Variables of bird performance (egg weight, egg production rate, feed conversion per dozen eggs, energy conversion and egg mass) were analyzed, as well as internal egg quality (Haugh unit, yolk color, yolk percentage, and albumen percentage) and external egg quality (specific gravity, shell percentage, and shell thickness). All performance variables presented significant differences (P &lt;0.05) in the three evaluated cycles, comparing lineages. Egg produced by the Embrapa 051 line had the highest percentages of yolk and those of the Lohmann Brown line had the highest percentage of albumen. In conclusion, Embrapa 051 lineage has the potential to produce good quality eggs, as long as it receives the same feeding program of the genetically established lineage.

Phenotypic Correlation Between External and Internal Egg Quality Characteristics in 85-Week-Old Laying Hens

Background and Objective: Several studies confirm that the age of hens has a tremendous impact on external and internal egg quality characteristics. Egg production could be at serious risk if egg quality characteristics and age of hens are not seriously considered. This study was conducted to analyze the phenotypic correlations between some internal and external egg quality characteristics in old laying hens. Materials and Methods: A total of 288 eggs of 85-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were collected during 3 weeks and their internal and external egg characteristics were evaluated. Results: Phenotypic correlations between egg quality characteristics in old laying hens indicate a negative impact on shell and albumen quality but not affected yolk quality characteristics. Conclusion: This study helps to understand that raising laying hens above 80 weeks would have a negative impact on egg quality characteristics.

Dietary supplementation with canthaxanthin and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol has beneficial effects on bone and oxidative metabolism in European quail breeders

This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with canthaxanthin (Cx) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) on the production performance, egg quality, bone mineral content, blood biochemical parameters, and antioxidant status of European quail breeders. Two hundred and forty quail breeders were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 diets and 8 replicates of 4 females and 2 males were used. All quail breeders received one of 5 diets: basal diet (containing 2,000 IU vitamin D3) or the same diet supplemented with 3 ppm Cx and 34.5 μg 25-OH-D3, 6 ppm Cx and 69 μg 25-OH-D3, 9 ppm Cx and 103.5 μg 25-OH-D3, or 12 ppm Cx and 138 μg 25-OH-D3. Production performance and internal and external egg quality parameters were not influenced by diet. Eggshell dry weight decreased linearly with increasing supplementation levels, and eggshell ash and calcium content increased quadratically. Plasma phosphorus, calcium, and ionic calcium levels in females and plasma ionic calcium levels in males showed a positive quadratic response to dietary supplementation. Femoral and tibiotarsal dry weight and calcium content were influenced by diet. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity in the liver of males and females and in the serum of females showed a positive quadratic relationship with Cx and 25-OH-D3 levels, whereas the malonaldehyde concentration showed a negative quadratic relationship. DPPH scavenging activity in the serum of male quail increased linearly with supplementation. There was a positive quadratic effect on superoxide dismutase gene expression and a positive linear effect on glutathione peroxidase 7 gene expression, suggesting that dietary enrichment with Cx and 25-OH-D3 might help protect spermatozoa against oxidative damage. The dietary supplement was pro-oxidative at high concentrations (above 9 ppm Cx). The results indicate that diets with adequate levels of Cx and 25-OH-D3 have a beneficial effect on calcium and phosphorus metabolism as well as on the antioxidant defense system. We recommend supplementing European quail breeders in the laying period with 6 ppm Cx and 69 μg 25-OH-D3.

Quality parameters, lipids and antioxidant profiles of eggs from hens fed diets with varied inclusions of monosodium glutamate

The study assessed the internal and external egg qualities as well as lipid and antioxidative status of eggs laid by hens fed different inclusion levels of monosodium glutamate was. Three hundred 24-week old Isa Brown pullets were randomly allotted to six experimental diets containing 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 g/kg MSG respectively in an experiment that lasted sixteen weeks. At the end of the feeding trials, egg samples were collected from each experimental group for laboratory analyses. Egg widths, shape index, and shell weight were significantly (p0.05) influenced when compared with the control but above these levels, the parameters were significantly (p0.05) similarities. A significant (p

Effect of Partial Replacement of Soybean and Corn with Dietary Chickpea (Raw, Autoclaved, or Microwaved) on Production Performance of Laying Quails and Egg Quality.

This study was conducted to investigate whether adding different levels of raw or differently processed chickpea into different diets of laying quails affected live weight, feed intake, feed efficiency, egg weight and internal and external egg quality. Chickpea was used as raw, autoclaved or microwave-processed, and it was involved in the diets on two different levels (20% and 40%). The sample was divided into 7 groups including the control, 20% and 40% raw, 20% and 40% autoclaved, and 20% and 40% microwave-processed groups. 336 ten-week-old female laying quails were used in the study, and the experiment continued for 19 weeks. In the study, the differences among the groups were insignificant in terms of live weight, feed intake, feed efficiency, egg weight and egg quality characteristics such as shell thickness, shell weight, yolk weight, yolk color and albumin index. The differences were significant in terms of the shape index, Haugh unit (p<0.05) and yolk index (p<0.01). Consequently, it was observed that different thermal processes on chickpeas did not usually have a significant effect on the yield performance of the quails, and the results that were obtained were similar to the other groups. However, it was determined that some egg quality characteristics were affected by the autoclaving and microwaving processes. Between the thermal processes, it may be stated that autoclaving provided better results.

Egg quality traits, phenotypic correlations, egg and yolk weights prediction using external and internal egg quality traits of Japanese quails reared in Calabar, Nigeria

Three hundred freshly laid eggs collected from 12 weeks old brown Japanese quails on deep litters fed 18% CP and 2700 kcal ME/kg ration and water ad libitum. External egg quality traits measured included egg (weight and width) and yolk (weight, height and width). Data collected were used to estimate descriptive statistics, phenotypic correlations and to predict egg and yolk weights. Results of phenotypic correlation of external egg traits investigated expressed mostly non-significant (p&gt;0.05) both positive and negative low values with the exceptions of two higher, negative significant (p&lt;0.01) correlations observed between egg weight and egg length (r= – 0.721) and egg weight and shell thickness (r= – 0.616). Similarly, results of phenotypic correlations of internal egg traits expressed mostly non-significant (p&gt;0.05) both positive and negative low values with the exceptions of very high negative correlation coefficient (r= – 0.802) between yolk weight and albumen width and moderate negative correlation coefficient (r= – 0.561) between albumen height and albumen width. The only moderate positive significant correlation (r=0.519) obtained in this study was between yolk weight and albumen height. The regression estimates of parameters and coefficient of determination for simple (one trait) and multiple (two traits and for predicting egg and yolk weight sh6wed very low non-significant associations/interrelationship. But with three to five traits fitted into the multiple linear regression equations, highly significant (p&lt;0.001) associations/interrelationships were obtained for egg and yolk weights. Egg and yolk weights can be predicted using external and internal egg traits measurements with two external traits (egg length and egg width) and two internal traits (albumen height and albumen width) best predicted egg and yolk heights respectively.