Impact of Different Ambient Temperatures on Egg-Laying and Hatching Parameters in Japanese Quail

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of different ambient temperatures on egg production and hatching parameters in Japanese quail. Sixteen weeks old male and female Japanese quail were assigned to 10 cages as 1 male and 5 females. Quails were housed in a poultry yard belonging to the Faculty of Agriculture. Quails were reared under 16 hours’ light and 8 hours’ dark photoperiod. During the study, water and food were freely available as ad-libitum. Regularly egging five layer cages were selected and their laying and hatching performances were compared for three weeks when there were highest differences in average room temperatures (22.38 ± 0.21; 23.10 ± 0.04 and 23.76 ± 0.18°C). Changes in weekly mean ambient temperatures did not affect egg weights, egg mass, weekly egg laid/hen, and weekly egg weight/hen. Fertility and hatching rates were also not significantly changed (P>0.05). Lower ambient temperature (22.38°C) caused a significant reduction in hatchability and increment in embryonic mortality as compared with the 23.10°C group. It is possible to postulate from the data presented here that the best room temperature for hatchability and lower embryonic mortality in Japanese quail, is around 23°C.