Abstract

MOULA, N. et al. Laying and eggs quality of quails in semi-intensive conditions in Eastern Algeria. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2014, vol.63, n.244, pp.693-696. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922014000400013.

This work investigates laying performances and egg quality of 200 quails during 266 laying days. The first collected 240 eggs, for the periods: 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44 weeks were used in this study. The average laying rate calculated over a period of 37 weeks is 74.44 %. All studied eggs quality parameters were significantly (p<0.001) influenced by the age of the quail. The average weight of the whole egg (13.66 g), yolk (3.99 g) and shell (2.28 g) reach their maximum value at the 40^th week. The maximum albumen average weight (7.45 g) was observed at 32^nd week. Albumen (12.02) and yolk (48.72) indices recorded their highest values at the 12^th and the 16^th weeks, respectively. The eggs freshness, expressed here by Haugh units decreased with age. They range from 89.56 at the 12^th week to 83.71 at the 44^th week of age. Yolk color registered values with irregular fluctuations (7.12 to 9.33) in a colorimetric scale of 15 ladders. Highly significant and positive correlations (p<0.001) and were recorded between the whole egg weight and the weight of albumen, yolk and shell. To conclude, the quail age affects significantly the various egg quality parameters.

Keywords : Coturnix coturnix japónica.

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