Evaluating the impact of prolonged egg storage on hatchability, incubation moisture loss and quality parameters in Japanese quails
Wong Zhi Yii1, Frederick Chu Li Jung1, Armiyas Shibesh Faris1, Rohaida Binti Abdul Rasid1, Rovina Kobun1, Mohammad Mijanur Rahman1, Mohamad Asrol Bin Kalam1, and Md Safiul Alam Bhuiyan1

Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of egg storage duration on hatchability, moisture loss, incubation period, embryonic mortality, and hatchling weight in Japanese quail Coturnix japonica. A total of 495 eggs were assigned to 11 storage groups ranging from 0 to 10 days, with three replicates of 15 eggs each. Eggs were stored at room temperature 28 plus or minus 1 degree Celsius with 60 to 65 percent relative humidity and incubated at 37 point 5 degrees Celsius and 60 percent relative humidity. Hatchability declined as storage time increased. The highest hatchability 82 point 22 percent occurred in eggs stored for two days, while the lowest 4 point 44 percent was observed after 10 days. Storage moisture loss differed significantly, while incubation moisture loss and hatchling weights showed no differences. Overall, storage for one to three days was optimal. Storage beyond seven days reduced hatchability, prolonged incubation, and increased embryo mortality.

Keywords: Keywords: Japanese quail, egg storage, hatchability, embryonic mortality, incubation

Topic: Animal Production