Selected Characteristics of Eggs Produced by Japanese Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

Egg characteristics of many avian species, particularly experimental birds other than domestic fowl, are poorly understood and have been inadequately described. In this report egg characteristics are described for first-year Japanese quail from day of first egg through 220 days of age. Measurements—egg weight, shell weight, egg length and breadth, egg index, and shell thickness—were taken for eggs collected on Tuesdays and Thursdays except during the initial three weeks of lay when measurements were taken daily. Egg production was maximum between 60 and 150 days of age. Egg weight, after an initial increase, averaged about 11 g, and shell weight averaged 0.84 ± 0.4 g after 111 days of age. Shell thickness was about 215 μ. from day 77 through day 220, and the egg index was about 1.0 throughout the study. Shell length was 33 ± 1 mm. from day 85 through termination. Average percentage shell (7.6 ± 0. 4%) and shell breadth (25 ± 0.5 mm.) were essentially constant for the entire observational period, and provide potentially valuable comparative bases for future studies.