Selected Traits of Hatched and Unhatched Eggs and Growth Performance of Yellow Japanese Quails

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate selected traits of hatched and unhatched eggs and chick growth performance of yellow Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Eggshell temperature at the time of transfer to the hatcher was higher in hatched eggs (38.09oC) than in unhatched eggs (37.43oC) (p=0.000), lower in eggs with in early embryonic mortality (37.39oC) than those with late embryonic mortality (38.13oC) (p=0.000), and higher in eggs with female chicks (38.14oC) than those with male chicks (37.95oC). Lower eggshell, yolk, and albumen weights were determined in eggs with embryonic mortality of 17-18 days (0.58 g, 3.13 g and 4.96 g) compared with those with 10-16 days (0.67 g, 3.55 g and 5.58 g) and embryonic mortality of 1-9 days (0.75 g, 3.95 g and 6.19 g) (p=0.000). Lower egg weight loss was obtained in eggs with embryonic mortality (13.85%) of 1-9 days than those with embryonic mortality of 17-18 days (26.48%) (p=0.001). Females were heavier at chick weight (8.98 g vs. 8.63 g; p=0.033) and at 4 (231.81 g vs. 211.43 g; p 0.000) and 5(260.69 g vs. 231.87 g; p 0.000) weeks of age than males, and had longer left shanks (34.39 mm vs. 33.61 mm; p=0.004).(AU)

Selected Traits of Hatched and Unhatched Eggs and Growth Performance of Yellow Japanese Quails

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate selected traits of hatched and unhatched eggs and chick growth performance of yellow Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Eggshell temperature at the time of transfer to the hatcher was higher in hatched eggs (38.09oC) than in unhatched eggs (37.43oC) (p=0.000), lower in eggs with in early embryonic mortality (37.39oC) than those with late embryonic mortality (38.13oC) (p=0.000), and higher in eggs with female chicks (38.14oC) than those with male chicks (37.95oC). Lower eggshell, yolk, and albumen weights were determined in eggs with embryonic mortality of 17-18 days (0.58 g, 3.13 g and 4.96 g) compared with those with 10-16 days (0.67 g, 3.55 g and 5.58 g) and embryonic mortality of 1-9 days (0.75 g, 3.95 g and 6.19 g) (p=0.000). Lower egg weight loss was obtained in eggs with embryonic mortality (13.85%) of 1-9 days than those with embryonic mortality of 17-18 days (26.48%) (p=0.001). Females were heavier at chick weight (8.98 g vs. 8.63 g; p=0.033) and at 4 (231.81 g vs. 211.43 g; p 0.000) and 5(260.69 g vs. 231.87 g; p 0.000) weeks of age than males, and had longer left shanks (34.39 mm vs. 33.61 mm; p=0.004).

Evaluation of meat and egg traits of Beijing-you chickens rotationally grazing on chicory pasture in a chestnut forest

Barn and cage-fed chickens have presented several problems, such as high rates of infectious disease and consequent antibiotic abuse, poorer chicken health and welfare, and often poorer meat and egg quality compared with free-range chickens. The poultry agroforestry system is becoming increasingly popular in many poultry farms nowadays. In this study, to evaluate the contribution of poultry agroforestry system to enhance some meat and egg traits of Beijing-you chickens, some indexes of meat and egg qualities, some indexes of slaughter traits, and the feed conversion efficiency were investigated in rotational grazing Beijing-you chickens on chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) pasture (CGRG group) and only free-ranging chickens on bare land without forage (control group) in chestnut forest. Results showed that the live body weight, the dressing weight, the thigh muscle weight, and the breast muscle weight were increased (p < 0.05) based on the decrease of 15% feed concentration in the CGRG group relative to the control. Furthermore, compared with the control, the crude ash, the essential amino acid content, and the inosinic acid content were increased (p < 0.05), and the crude fat contents were decreased (p < 0.05) in the thigh and breast muscles, while the yolk cholesterol and the feed conversion ratio were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the CGRG group. This study would provide a scientific basis and technological support for the large-scale demonstration and application of rotational grazing chickens on the artificial pasture in forest.(AU)

Evaluation of meat and egg traits of Beijing-you chickens rotationally grazing on chicory pasture in a chestnut forest

Barn and cage-fed chickens have presented several problems, such as high rates of infectious disease and consequent antibiotic abuse, poorer chicken health and welfare, and often poorer meat and egg quality compared with free-range chickens. The poultry agroforestry system is becoming increasingly popular in many poultry farms nowadays. In this study, to evaluate the contribution of poultry agroforestry system to enhance some meat and egg traits of Beijing-you chickens, some indexes of meat and egg qualities, some indexes of slaughter traits, and the feed conversion efficiency were investigated in rotational grazing Beijing-you chickens on chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) pasture (CGRG group) and only free-ranging chickens on bare land without forage (control group) in chestnut forest. Results showed that the live body weight, the dressing weight, the thigh muscle weight, and the breast muscle weight were increased (p < 0.05) based on the decrease of 15% feed concentration in the CGRG group relative to the control. Furthermore, compared with the control, the crude ash, the essential amino acid content, and the inosinic acid content were increased (p < 0.05), and the crude fat contents were decreased (p < 0.05) in the thigh and breast muscles, while the yolk cholesterol and the feed conversion ratio were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the CGRG group. This study would provide a scientific basis and technological support for the large-scale demonstration and application of rotational grazing chickens on the artificial pasture in forest.