An Integrated Unit for Hatching and Rearing Quail

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Agric. Eng. Dept., Agric. Fac. Mansoura Univ.

2 Agric. Eng. Research institute, Agric. Research Center, Egypt

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare between the new integrated quail rearing unit with egg hatching sub-unit, and common egg incubator with traditional rearing system for (black Japanese quail and white jumbo quail) at two eggs hatching positions (vertical position with small end up and down). An integrated unit provided with upper egg incubator and furnished rearing battery cage located lower of it. The chicks were reared for 40 days of age in traditional  litter floor and in furnished battery cage. The evaluation include the percentage of hatchability, chick weight, growth performance and mortality number of  quail. The result indicated that the new incubation unit was able to maintain a high hatching percentage of 78.53 % for eggs of white jumbo quail with vertical egg position with small end down in average of  hatching period 17 days. Chicks were growing in normal weight at 6.99 and 8.19 gram and did not suffer from any disability for black Japanese and white jumbo quail eggs, respectively and with vertical position with small end up. At different time intervals the growth performance of quail didn't show significant difference among the treatment viz. common  commercial  egg incubator and new incubation sub-unit. The mortality number at the first days increases for quails hatched in common commercial egg incubator. The same capacity attached egg incubator saved about 81.25 % of the total cost compared to the common  commercial  egg incubator, so it is recommended to use the integrated unit for incubating and rearing quail

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