The effect of breeder body mass on laying performance, egg quality, and hatching traits of Japanese quail.

Aim of study: The aim of this research was to determine the effect of breeder body mass on egg laying performance, egg quality, and hatching traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Area of study: This study was carried out at the Poultry Unit and Research Centre of Çukurova University in the Republic of Türkiye. Material and methods: In this study, a sum of 216 quails were used. The quails were divided into three experimental groups during the 5 weeks of age based on their body weight: high body mass (HBM), >310 g, medium body mass (MBM) from 290 to 310 g, and low body mass (LBM), <290 g; and then transferred to egg-laying cages. There were three replicates per group. Internal and external egg quality traits, hatching traits, and egg-laying performance were examined. Main results: Egg production was statistically highest in the MBM group and the lowest in the HBM group (p≤0.05). The HBM group had the highest average egg weight and the lowest egg weight was observed in the LBM group (p≤0.05). The Haugh unit, albumen pH, shell thickness, yolk colour traits, shape index, albumen index, hatchability of fertile eggs, and yolk index were not statistically different among the experimental groups (p≥0.05). The fertility and hatchability of set eggs were statistically highest in the LBM group and lowest in the in the HBM group (p≤0.05). Research highlights: Selection for HBM could improve egg weight, however; it may have a negative correlation with egg production and hatching traits.