LAYER AGE AND QUALITY OF PHARAOH QUAIL EGGS

Abstract

The quality of Pharaoh quail eggs obtained at 8, 13, 18 and 23 weeks of age was evaluated. Eggs laid by the oldest quail were characterized by the greatest weight (12.2 g), length (32.6 mm), width (25.8 mm) and shell surface area (25.3 cm2). The lowest shell weight was found in eggs from the youngest quail (0.9 g), and the lowest shell proportion (8.2%) was characteristic of eggs from the oldest layers. The oldest quail (23 weeks old) produced eggs with the highest weight and albumen index, and the lowest yolk content. In addition, eggs from 23-week-old layers had the highest height of thick albumen (5.0 mm) and yolk (11.1 mm) after breaking open the egg. Layer age had a significant effect on pH of egg albumen and yolk.