Effects of High Light Intensity on Incubation Results in Quail Hatching Eggs during Incubation Period

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to establish the effects of high light intensity application during embryogenesis on incubation results in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs. A total of 360 hatching eggs were randomly divided into 2 groups. The quail eggs (n= 360) were incubated continuously in the dark (Control; C) and in continuous light at 2900 lux (Light; L) during the first 14 days of incubation. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in hatchability and embryonic mortality among treatments groups. The incubation time in the light-treated group was shorter than C group. The higher hatch was observed in L group at 390 to 416 h of incubationperiod than the C group (P<0.01). No significant differences were found between C and L group at other hatching times. These results demonstrate that continuous high light application during incubation affected the hatch time positively without adversely affecting hatchability or embryonic mortality.