Egg Pigment Pattern and Association Between Hen Bodyweight, Oviposition Interval, Egg-Weight and Hatchability in Japanese Quail.

Abstract

A study was conducted to characterize egg pigment pattern in Japanese quail and to determine the association between egg shell pigment pattern, hen bodyweight, oviposition interval, average egg weight and hatchability of eggs. Mean weight of laying hens was 132.91±17.20 g. Shell colour varied from lightly spotted to heavily sandy spotted. There were marked difference among individuals for egg weight and pigment pattern. Hens’ oviposition intervals ranged between 25.60±2.19 hours and 40.32±4.27 hours. Average weight of eggs and hatchability were 7.77 - 9.83g and 21.10-66.70%, respectively. Pearson correlation between hen bodyweight and egg weight was significant (p<0.05, r=0.576). There was a negative correlation between hen bodyweight and oviposition interval (r= -0.541). Estimates of correlation between egg weight and oviposition interval was low so also were the correlations between pigment pattern and hen’s bodyweight or oviposition interval. A medium correlation was obtained between egg weight and hatchability of eggs (r= ~0.40). The present study suggests that egg pigment pattern is an hen specific trait. It is concluded that hens with good bodyweight and that produces heavy, highly pigmented eggs should be selected as breeders in hatching operations.