Comparison of hatchability and some egg quality characteristics in spotted and unspotted partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs

The current research was conducted to determine the comparison of hatchability and some egg quality characteristics in spotted and unspotted partridge (Alectoris chukar) eggs. The research was carried out on 51 male and 102 female chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) aged 50 wk, which were raised at the Research and Application Farm of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Selcuk University. In total, 244 spotted and 261 unspotted eggs were used in the research. The hatching eggs were stored at 75% RH and 13°C for 14 d. Thirty spotted and 30 unspotted eggs laid on the same day were used for the evaluation of egg quality characteristics. Egg weight, chick weight, egg weight loss during the hatching period, shape index, hatchability, and some egg quality characteristics were evaluated at the end of the research. Spotted eggs exhibited a higher fertility and hatchability, as well as a lower percentage egg weight loss and embryonic mortality when compared with unspotted eggs. No significant differences were observed between spotted and unspotted eggs for egg weight, chick weight, shape index, specific gravity, albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk color green-red chromaticity (a*), albumen pH, and yolk pH. Spotted eggs had higher eggshell color a*, eggshell color blue-yellow chromaticity (b*), and eggshell strength, as well as a lower eggshell color light-dark chromaticity (L*), yolk color L*, and yolk color b* scores when compared with unspotted eggs. It was demonstrated that spots on the eggshells of chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) improved their hatchability by affecting various quality characteristics of their eggs. It was concluded that spotted eggs are more suitable for hatching.     

Effect of pre-incubation storage conditions on hatchability,chick weight at hatch and hatching time in broiler breeders

1. Eggs were stored for two different times at varying temperatures. The effects on hatchability, chick weight at hatch and hatching time were examined in two broiler breeder lines from 33 to 58 weeks of age. 2. Short storage (1 to 3 d). Storage at 20 degrees C compared with 16.5 degrees C reduced hatchability of all eggs set. No effect was observed on hatchability of fertile eggs, hatching time or chick weight. 3. Long storage (9 to 11 d). Storage at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C decreased both hatchability of fertile eggs and chick weight at hatch. Incidence of early embryonic death increased and incubation time decreased at 16.5 degrees C compared with 10 degrees C. 4. Chicks from morning eggs were heavier than those from afternoon eggs irrespective of storage conditions. 5. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) and chick weight varied with hen age irrespective of storage conditions. During long storage, hatching time varied with hen age independently of breeder line, storage temperature or egg laying time. 6. Hatchability (all eggs set and fertile eggs) was higher in line A than in line B. Line B eggs hatched later and produced heavier chicks than line A eggs irrespective of storage time.     

Effects of electrical field on hatchability performance of eggs from a layer-type breeder

1. Eggs from a layer-type breeder flock (Baladi, King Saud University) between 50 and 63 weeks of age were used in three trials to study the effects of electrical field (EF) during incubation on albumen and yolk heights, incubation temperature, egg weight loss and hatchability traits. The effects of egg size and eggshell characteristics on hatchability traits of eggs incubated under EF were investigated. 2. Eggs were weighed and graded into three weight classes (small, medium, and large). The physical dimensions, eggshell characteristics, and conductance of eggs were examined. The incubator was divided into two compartments for the control and EF treatments. Two aluminium plates were fitted on the inside walls of the EF compartment, face to face, and connected to a step up electric transformer. Eggs were exposed constantly to the EF during the first 18 d of incubation at the level of 30 kV/m, 60 Hz. 3. Egg size influenced the physical dimensions and eggshell characteristics of eggs. Large eggs had higher egg weight, egg surface area, egg volume, eggshell conductance, and eggshell weight and lower yolk weight percentage than medium or small size eggs. Small eggs had lower egg length and higher egg density than large or medium size eggs. Large eggs had higher eggshell thickness than small size eggs. 4. EF incubation of eggs raised incubation temperature by 0.06 degrees C, and increased the percentage of egg weight loss, hatchability, and weight of hatching chicks and reduced the early embryo deaths, and length of incubation by approximately 9.8, 19.6, 1.7, 62.1 and 2.1%, respectively. 5. There was no significant difference between the two incubation treatments in the heights of albumen and yolk of incubated eggs, percentages of late embryo deaths, and pips with live and dead embryos. Hatchability traits were not significantly influenced by egg size. 6. It was concluded that EF incubation of eggs increased hatchability, chick-hatching weight, and reduced the length of incubation of Baladi eggs. Differences in the physical dimensions and eggshell characteristics of eggs did not influence hatchability traits of eggs under EF incubation.     

Interference with the humoral immune response in diverse genetic lines of chickens. II. The effect of colloidal carbon

Two experiments were conducted to study the difference in humoral immune responses between lines of chickens selected for high (H) or low (L) antibody production to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Prior to i.v. immunization with SRBC or Brucella abortus (BA), chicks of both lines were injected with either 2, 3 or 4 ml carbon suspension (59 mg carbon/ml) per kg body weight; controls were not injected. In both the H and L line, a higher dose of carbon showed a more progressive depression of the total antibody titer to SRBC during the initial stage of the primary response. The 2ME-resistant antibody titers to SRBC showed the same tendency during the latter phase of the primary response. However, chicks treated with 3 ml carbon had lower 2ME-resistant antibody titers than any other group. Following i.m. reimmunization with SRBC, the previous treatment with carbon doses enhanced total antibody titers throughout the secondary response, when compared to the controls. The 3 ml carbon-treated chicks had the highest total anti-SRBC titers in the secondary response. The secondary 2ME-resistant anti-SRBC titers were not affected by the carbon doses. Carbon treatment did not affect the antibody titers to BA. No differences between the H and L line were found in the effects of carbon on the humoral immune responses to SRBC or BA.     

Effects of housing system (outdoor vs cages) and age of laying hens on egg characteristics

1. Effects of two housing systems (cages vs outdoor) on external and internal egg characteristics were investigated. 2. In total 785 eggs from three different lines in cages and 268 eggs from outdoor-housed layers were examined for egg weight, albumen, yolk and shell content, albumen height and pH, and albumen and yolk dry matter content. 3. Interactions between layer age and housing systems were found for egg weight, eggshell content, albumen height, albumen pH, and dry matter content of the albumen and yolk. This was mainly due to the greater variation with age in the outdoor layers, compared to the caged layers. 4. Irrespective of age eggs from outdoor layers were relatively broader than eggs from the caged layers. Yolk colour was considerably darker in the outdoor group (11.0 vs 9.3). 5. We concluded that it is more difficult to maintain constant external and internal egg quality in an outdoor housing system than in a battery cage system. Factors that determine the greater fluctuations in internal egg quality need to be investigated.     

Haemolytic complement activity,C3 and Factor B consumption in serum from chickens divergently selected for antibody responses to sheep red blood cells

Antibody responses, serum complement haemolytic activity, and complement component C3 and Factor B consumption were studied in chickens divergently selected for high and low antibody responses to sheep red blood cells, and in a randombred control line. Significantly higher total and IgG antibody responses to SRBC were found after intramuscular immunisation in the high antibody responder (H) line versus the low antibody responder (L) line and the control (C) line. Also significantly higher antibody titres were found in the C line as compared to the L line. Ca-dependent (classical) and Ca-independent (alternative) complement haemolytic activity was significantly higher in the H line than in the L line. Also initial complement haemolytic activity and C3 levels prior to immunisation with SRBC were significantly higher in the H than in the L line. The L line, on the other hand, showed numerically higher Factor B levels. Immunisation with SRBC was followed by a different consumption of C3 in serum of the H line than the L line.The results indicated that divergent selection of chickens for specific antibody responses to SRBC affected complement levels and C3 consumption in these chickens. This suggests a genetic linkage between these two immune traits.     

Interference with the humoral immune response in diverse genetic lines of chickens. I. The effect of carrageenan

Two experiments were conducted in which the effect of carrageenan (CGN) on humoral immune response of chicks selected on either high (H) or low (L) antibody production to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was determined. H and L line chicks were injected i.p. with different doses of CGN prior to immunization with SRBC or Brucella abortus (BA). Four weeks later chicks were reimmunized with the same antigens. In general, control H and L chicks had significantly higher total anti-SRBC titers than CGN-treated chicks in primary response. Also, total anti-BA titers were significantly higher in control chicks than CGN-treated chicks on days 3 and 5 following primary immunization and on days 0 and 7 of the secondary response. Overall, the 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME)-resistant anti-SRBC titers did not differ significantly among the CGN-treated groups. However, control chicks tended to have higher anti-BA 2ME-resistant titers from day 14 p.i. of primary response on. Regardless of antigen or CGN treatment, the H line chicks had significantly higher titers than L line chicks. However, the CGN treatments did not affect the antibody response to BA nor to SRBC differently between L and H line chicks. It would appear that since CGN is cytotoxic for macrophages, selection for antibody production did not result in different abilities of the macrophages of these chicken lines to respond to an antigenic challenge.     

二郎山山地鸡品系间孵化效果的比较分析

为指导二郎山山地鸡品种选育,本试验选用SD02、SD03品系第2世代54个家系、2个批次的种蛋进行孵化试验,比较批次间、品系间和品系内家系间的种蛋孵化效果差异。结果显示,SD03的各家系入孵蛋数(47枚)显著高于SD02(40枚)(P<0.05),SD02各家系的健雏率(99.5%)显著高于SD03(98.4%)(P<0.05)。SD03的死精率和死胎率低于SD02,受精率、受精蛋孵化率高于SD02,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。第1批次的受精蛋孵化率和健雏率高于第2批次,死精率和死胎率低于第2批次(P<0.05)。试验表明孵化效果SD03优于SD02,第1批次好于第2批次;SD02品系内家系3、30和48与SD03品系内家系13和49的各孵化指标远低于相应的品系均值,家系选种时应避免选用上述家系种鸡。     

Genetic Relations between Reproduction,Chick Weight and Maternal Egg Composition in a White Leghorn Line

Selection is a viable way to increase egg dry matter, an important trait for the egg processing industry, but simultaneously a change in the embryonic environment takes place. The main purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for the percentage of fertile eggs of eggs set (FERT), percentage of eggs hatched of fertile eggs (HATCH), percentage of live chicks 2 weeks post-hatch of hatched eggs (SURV/h) and of fertile eggs (SURV), and their genetic correlations with egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk proportion, albumen dry matter and mean chick weight in a White Leghorn selection line. Direct and maternal heritabilities were low for FERT, HATCH and SURV, and non-existent for SURV/h. All direct-direct genetic correlations between reproduction traits and egg composition traits were not significant. Maternal-direct genetic correlations between HATCH and egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk proportion and albumen dry matter were - 0.22, - 0.30, 0.28, 0.52 and 0.26, respectively. Similar correlations were found between SURV and egg composition traits. No significant genetic relationship was found between chick weight and post-hatch survival. In conclusion, within the range of values for egg composition in this study, selection for an increased egg dry matter should not impair reproduction.     

Genetic study of embryonic mortality in White Leghorn lines selected for egg production traits

The present study compares embryonic mortality between lines selected for different production traits, assesses the effects of inbreeding of the hen and embryo on embryonic mortality, and estimates genetic parameters of embryonic mortality. The experiment covered 10 generations of selection for increased egg number (EN), egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM) and a control line (C). The data included age at 1st egg, egg number and egg weight. Percent fertile eggs (PF), percent hatched of fertile eggs (PHF) and percent dead chick at hatch (PDH) were also recorded for the selected parents. PDH was higher in the selected lines than in the control line. Among the selected lines, the EW line had the highest embryonic mortality. Inbreeding of the hen and embryo had no significant effect on PDH in any of the lines. Estimates of heritability for PDH were 0.10+/-0.05, 0.02+/-0.02, 0.03+/-0.02 and 0.02+/-0.02 for lines EN, EW, EM and C, respectively. There was a positive genetic correlation between egg weight and PDH in line EW indicating that selection for increased egg weight was associated with high embryonic mortality. A negative genetic correlation between PDH and reproductive traits in line EN was observed, which is favourable.     

Comparisons of egg quality traits,egg weight loss and hatchability between striped and normal duck eggs

1. The egg quality of striped and normal duck eggs was compared to determine why striped eggs show decreased hatchability. A total of 430 eggs, obtained from a Pekin duck breeder flock aged 50–65 wks, were used in three experiments. The eggs were weighed and assigned randomly to measure egg quality traits, egg weight (EW) loss and hatchability during incubation.

2. There were no significant differences between egg types in terms of egg shape index, eggshell strength and thickness, albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk colour, weight of the eggshell with or without membranes, calcium, phosphorus, copper and manganese contents in the eggshell (with the inner and outer membranes or without the inner membrane), albumen weight, dry matter of albumen, crude protein (CP) of thick albumen and pH of the thick albumen.

3. The weight of eggshells with membranes, weight of thick albumen and CP of thin albumen in striped eggs were lower than those in normal eggs.

4. The thin albumen in striped eggs was heavier than that in normal eggs. The pH of the thin albumin in striped egg was significantly higher than that in normal eggs.

5. There were no significant differences in EW loss during incubation or duckling weight between striped and normal eggs. However, the hatchability of striped eggs was lower.

6. The lower weight of the eggshell inner membrane and thick albumen, lower CP content and higher pH in the thin albumen of striped eggs might contribute to lower hatchability.     

Selection responses in duration of fertility and its consequences on hatchability in the intergeneric crossbreeding of ducks

1. From 1992 to 2003, selected (S) and control lines (C) of the laying Brown Tsaiya duck (Anas platyrhynchos) were simultaneously maintained under the same standardised conditions of feeding and management. 2. The selection objective was to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. From generations G1 to G11, 2452 and 2022 female ducks, in S and C lines, respectively, were measured and recorded. In the S line, the percentage selected varied between 20.2 and 34.3% in females and between 7.2 and 20.8% in males. 3. Selection for number of fertile eggs had a correlated effect of increasing the parameter tau of the logistic curves which fitted the daily variations (d 2 to 15) in fertility or hatchability on the basis of eggs set. The differences S-C for the estimates of the times of half maximal fertility and hatchability increased by 0.41 and 0.37 d per generation between G1 and G11, respectively. 4. The highest increases of fertility per day rates after a single AI were observed between d 5 and 11. Moreover, in the selected line, fertility rate was higher than, or equal to, 90% in d 2 from G8. The same tendencies were observed for the changes in the evolution of hatchability on the basis of eggs set. 5. Selection increased fertility and hatchability according to the egg set rates, especially for d 2 to 8 after AI. Hatchability of fertile eggs was not impaired, confirming that selection for one AI per week was possible in this strain of laying ducks.     

Avian leukosis virus and selection on oviposition interval in Australorp lines.

1. Shedding of group-specific antigen of avian leukosis virus (ALV) into egg albumen was determined in three Australorp lines: AS line that had been selected primarily for short oviposition interval, ASS line that had been derived from the AS line and developed as a commercial dam line for egg laying, and AC line that had been kept as a randombred control. 2. The proportion of shedders was 13.1 to 16.7% in the AS line in 1984-88, 16.3% in the ASS line in 1984 (before culling of the shedders), and 6.1% and 6.6% in the AC line in 1984 and 1988, respectively. 3. In the AS line, shedders were 1.8% lower in rate of lay to 300 d of age, 1.3 g lower in average egg weight at 34 weeks of age, 5.6% lower in hatchability of fertile eggs and 0.24 h shorter in oviposition interval than non-shedders. In the ASS line (1984 only), the differences between shedders and non-shedders were in the same direction, but in magnitude greater for rate of lay and smaller for oviposition interval. 4. The shedders were favoured by the artificial selection because of their shorter oviposition interval and this appeared to be responsible for the higher levels of ALV shedding in the selection lines.     

Eggshell conductance,embryonic growth,hatchability and embryonic mortality of broiler breeder eggs dipped into ascorbic acid solution

1. Eggs from a broiler breeder flock between 25 and 29 weeks of age were dipped into solutions of various concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) for up to 2 min, in order to evaluate its effects on eggshell conductance (EC), amniotic fluid pH, albumen height and pH, embryonic weight and hatchability. 2. Three experiments were conducted and the following treatments were used: control, non-dipped (CND); control, water-dipped (CWD); 10 g AA/l (AA1); 20 g AA/l (AA2) and 30 g AA/l (AA3). Measurements of EC before and after dipping were made in experiments 1 and 2 in eggs from hens at 25 and 27 weeks of age, respectively. Albumen height and pH were measured after dipping the eggs in experiment 2. In experiment 3, egg weight loss, embryonic weight and amniotic fluid pH at 14 d of age, hatchability percentage (HP), and embryonic mortality were measured in eggs from hens at 29 weeks of age. 3. AA treatment of eggs and dipping period of time (1, 1.5 and 2 min) increased EC of eggs from hens at 25 and 27 weeks of age. 4. AA3 treatment for 2 min reduced albumen height and increased albumen pH of eggs when compared with the CND treatment in eggs from hens at 27 weeks of age. 5. HP of AA1-treated eggs from hens at 29 weeks of age was higher than that of the CND treatment. AA2 and AA3 treatments of eggs reduced HP and increased the percentage of non-pips when compared with any of the other treatments. 6. AA2 and AA3 treatments of eggs increased egg weight loss when compared with the control treatments (CND and CWD). Dipping treatment did not influence amniotic fluid pH or embryo weight expressed as a percentage of initial egg weight. 7. It is concluded that dipping hatching eggs into AA solution increased EC of eggs. Dipping eggs into 10 g AA/l for a period of 2 min increased HP in eggs from hens at 29 weeks of age, although this was not associated with a significant increase in egg weight loss.     

The Productive Performance and the Correlation Analysis Between Hatchability and Egg Quality in Jiangxi Green-eggshell Layers

The purpose of this study was to provide the reference to Jiangxi Green-eggshell breeding through the analysis of laying performance, hatchability and egg quality in the first generation of Jiangxi Green-eggshell layers at 300-days old. 306 Jiangxi Green-eggshell layers and 80 eggs were selected to determine the laying performance, hatchability and egg quality among families, and the correlation between the hatchability and egg quality were analyzed also. The results were as fellows:The average body weight of these hens was 1 596.99 g, the average egg weight was 50.57 g, the average egg-laying number was 14.53, the average fertility rate was 93.69%, the average dead fertile egg rate was 5.55%, the average healthy chick rate was 84.3%, the average dead embryo egg rate was 13.9%, the average egg shape index was 1.28, the average Haugh unit was 71.77, and the average eggshell strength was 4.44 kg/cm². The healthy chick rate and the egg weight had significant correlation,as well as the eggshell color and the egg shape index (P < 0.05). The healthy chick rate had extremely significantly correlation with the dead fertile egg rate(P < 0.01), as well as the eggshell strength and the eggshell thickness (P < 0.01). Generally, the first generation of Jiangxi Green-eggshell layers had good egg quality, higher laying performance and hatchability, but they still need to be further selected.     

江西绿壳蛋鸡生产性能及孵化性能与蛋品质的相关性分析

本研究通过对江西绿壳蛋鸡F1代产蛋性能、孵化效果和蛋品质进行分析,为江西绿壳蛋鸡选育提供参考。试验选取300日龄江西绿壳蛋鸡306只及其鸡蛋80枚,分别测定、分析蛋鸡产蛋性能及种蛋孵化效果和蛋品质,并对这些指标进行相关性分析。经测定,试验蛋鸡平均体重为1 596.99 g,平均蛋重为50.57 g,平均产蛋数为14.53枚;群体平均受精率为93.69%,平均死精率为5.55%,平均健雏率为84.3%,平死胚率为13.9%。群体平均蛋形指数为1.28,平均哈氏单位为71.77,平均蛋壳强度为4.44 kg/cm²。相关分析显示,健雏率与蛋重、蛋壳颜色与蛋形指数间呈显著相关（P < 0.05）;健雏率与死胚率、蛋壳强度与蛋壳厚度间呈极显著相关（P < 0.01）。以上结果表明,江西绿壳蛋鸡F1代蛋品质优良,产蛋性能、孵化效果较好,但仍需进一步选育。     

Divergent selection for shape of growth curve in Japanese quail. 6. Hatching time,hatchability and embryo mortality

1. Hatching time, hatchability of fertile eggs and embryo mortality under standard egg storage (1 or 5 days at 12?±?1°C and 55% relative humidity) and incubation conditions (37·5?±?0·2°C and 50% relative humidity) were analysed in lines long-term selected for high (HG) and low (LG) relative weight gain between 11 and 28?d of age, respectively, and constant body weight at 49?d of age.

2. Egg storage duration did not have an effect on average hatching time. LG quail, characterised by a fast postnatal growth rate immediately after hatching, hatched earlier than HG quail with a low early growth rate (about 391 vs. 406?h after egg setting, respectively).

3. In contrast to hatching time, the hatchability of fertile eggs was influenced by line as well as egg storage duration. Extended storage decreased hatching success in both lines. However, LG eggs exhibited a higher hatchability than HG eggs (1?d storage: 96·0 vs. 82·5%; 5?d storage: 88·7 vs. 72·7%, respectively).

4. Lower hatchability resulted mostly from a higher frequency of embryo death during early (up to d 7) and late (d 14 and later) phases of incubation.

5. An inadequate nutrient supply to embryos in consequence of developmental delay seems to be a key factor decreasing viability of embryos during incubation.     

Failure to turn eggs during incubation: effects on embryo weight, development of the chorioallantois and absorption of albumen

Turning eggs during incubation is essential for good hatchability. In the present paper additional effects on the development of the chorioallantois, absorption of albumen and growth of the embryo are recorded. The ability of an unturned egg to hatch was not affected by egg weight, egg shell porosity or water loss during incubation. The ability of the chorioallantois to spread around the inner surface of the inner shell membrane and the degree of absorption of the residual albumen affected the growth of the embryo and its ability to hatch. Unturned eggs hatched later than eggs which were turned throughout incubation.     

籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对孵化效果影响的研究

本试验旨在研究不同水平蛋重与蛋形指数对籽鹅种蛋孵化效果的影响,进而总结出种蛋筛选的最佳方案,为籽鹅个体、家系种蛋的选留及籽鹅的繁衍、孵化、生产提供科学参考。选取二年籽鹅种蛋2 469枚,蛋重为94.8~154.4 g,平均蛋重（123.3±9.5）g;蛋形指数为1.24~1.63,平均蛋形指数1.45±0.05。采用2因素4水平试验设计,将所有种蛋按蛋重与蛋形指数分成16个孵化组（蛋重与蛋形指数分别分为4个水平）,测量每枚种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数,并在蛋壳上做好编号,在相同孵化条件、同一孵化设备中进行两次孵化试验。结果表明,①蛋重<118.0 g组种蛋受精率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,125.0~131.9 g组次之,且受精蛋孵化率随着蛋重增大升高;125.0~131.9 g组种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重最大。②蛋形指数在1.47~1.51组种蛋受精率及种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>1.51组次之;1.47~1.51组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,1.42~1.46组次之。分析以上结果可得出：籽鹅种蛋蛋重对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重有显著影响（P<0.05）,以籽鹅蛋重在125.0~154.4 g为宜;蛋形指数对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率亦有显著影响（P<0.05）,对种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重无影响（P>0.05）,以蛋形指数在1.47~1.51为宜。籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重的影响均存在交互作用。其中,蛋形指数对种蛋孵化健雏率的影响较蛋重强,其作为单一因素对鹅雏出生重无影响。以上结果表明,以蛋重或蛋形指数任一因素作为种蛋筛选的依据都不科学,应综合考虑以达到种蛋优选的目的。     

Divergent selection for shape of growth curve in Japanese quail. 7. Effect of egg storage at high temperature on embryo development and hatchability

1. Hatching time, hatchability of fertile eggs and embryo mortality in relation to (1) physical quality of fresh eggs and (2) embryonic development during storage and incubation periods were analysed after egg storage for 1, 5 or 10 d at 30°C in the meat-type lines of Japanese quail, HG and LG, divergently selected for high and low relative weight gain between 11 and 28 d of age, respectively, and constant body weight at 49 d of age.

2. In both lines, the increase of egg storage temperature from 12°C (standard level) to 30°C increased the egg weight loss during storage, shortened the incubation period and reduced the hatching success.

3. Similar to standard egg storage temperature, LG quail hatched earlier than HG quail after egg storage at 30°C and early and late mortality of both lines increased with a prolonged period of egg storage. In contrast to the standard egg storage conditions, no line differences in hatchability were observed.

4. The results did not identify a relationship between the decrease in hatchability or embryo viability and line differences in external egg parameters as well as any important role of undesirable changes induced by a high storage temperature on albumen viscosity.

5. The pattern of embryonic death, low developmental rate of embryos and a dichotomy between the development of the extra-embryonic vascular system and the embryo itself during egg storage at high temperature implied that an insufficient nutrient supply in consequence of developmental delay could represent a key factor in increasing early and late embryo mortality.