Efecto de la edad de las reproductoras sobre el peso del huevo, fertilidad, incubabilidad y peso al nacer de la codorniz, variedad Jáponesa, (Coturnix japonica)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of breeding age on reproductive parameters (egg weight, fertility, hatchability and hatch weight) in Japanese · quail (Coturnix cotumixjaponica). A total of 300 eggs, from 3 different breeders (100 each), produced by birds at 5, 10 and 15 months of age were incubated. Hatchability was 68%, 82% and 69% at 5, 10 and 15 months, with fertility rates of 90%, 95% and 92%. Egg (12.29 ± l.64g) and hatch weights (8.22 ± l.84g) were significantly greater (p<0.05) for the 10-month-old birds. A positive correlation between egg weight and hatch weight averages was found for ali three flocks, with r= 0.942 for 10 month, r=0.863 for 5 month and r=0.821 for 15 month old birds. Embryo mortality was greatest at 15 (23%) and 5 (22%) months, compared to 10 months (13%).