Effects of egg weight and shape index on hatching performance, sex ratio and body weight of Japanese quail

This research was conducted to determine the effects of egg quail and egg shape index on hatchability, chick weight, body weight and sex ratio in Japanese quail. Research material hatching eggs were obtained from breeder quail grown in Çukurova University Faculty of Agriculture Research and Application Farm. Hatching eggs collected for a week were divided into treatment groups according to shape index and egg weight. Eggs are low (Ş1 (<76), medium Ş2 (76.1-78.9) and high Ş3 (> 79) according to shape index, light (A1 (<12.5 g), medium A2 (12.5-13 g) and heavy according to egg weight. As a result of hatching, hatching parameters, chick weight, sex ratio and five week live weight were determined. Feed and water were given ad-libitum to quails during the 5-week growing period. According to the findings obtained from the study, a statistically significant difference was found between the egg weight groups at the 1st, 4th and 5th weeks, and the shape index groups at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks (P <0.05). In the shape index group, the highest body weight value S2 and in the weight group A3 reached the treatment group. The effect of shape index and egg weight groups on sex ratio was not significant (P> 0.05). In the groups classified according to egg weight, the hatchability and fertility rate was found in the A2 group with the highest rate, In A1 group, embryo deaths were found to be highest (P <0.01). When the effect of shape index groups on the hatching characteristics was examined statistically, a significant difference was found between the groups in terms of late period death measurements (P <0.05). As a result, there was no difference in treatment groups in terms of sex. In terms of incubation characteristics and live weight, it may be recommended to choose the normal shape index (Ş2) and heavy (A3) egg group.