The Relationship of Egg Weight to Hatchability of Coturnix Eggs

This report relates size to hatchability of Coturnix eggs. Two trials were run with breeders in their 8th month of production and one trial with breeders in their first month. After gathering from mass-mated pens consisting of 30 females and 10 males, the eggs were weighed individually and sorted into half gram classes. Pre-incubation storage was at approximately 14.0°C. Eggs were set at weekly intervals in Jamesway 252 trays modified with holders as described by Wilson et al. (1961). Holders were wrapped in two layers of cheesecloth to slow air movement. This practice stems from the results of Romanoff (1938) who found that Bobwhite quail eggs need slower air movement than pheasant eggs. Eggs were turned mechanically every two hours for 14 days, at which time they were trsansferred to hatching baskets. At the end of the hatch all unhatched eggs were opened, and infertile or broken eggs recorded. Throughout…