ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of vitamin D3 in broiler diets on performance and bone health. A total of 360 one-day old male Cobb500® broiler chicks were subjected to five treatments of different levels of vitamin D3 in diets during two rearing phases: 0 IU/kg in both phases; 625 IU/kg in starter and 500 IU/kg in grower phase (25% of commercial inclusion); 1,250 IU/kg in starter and 1,000 IU/kg in grower phase (50% of commercial inclusion); 1,875 IU/kg in starter and 1,500 IU/kg in grower phase (75% of commercial inclusion); and 2,500 IU/kg in starter and 2,000 IU/kg in grower phase (100% of commercial inclusion). The traits studied weekly were feed intake, body weight, feed conversion, and viability. At 21 and 35 days of age, tibiae and femurs were removed, dissected, and evaluated for dry matter (DM), ash (%MM), calcium (%Ca), phosphorus (%P) and breaking strength. At 35 days of age, the bones were subjected to histopathological analysis for macro- and microscopic morphological evaluation. Data were subjected to regression analysis, using α = 0.05. The variables of percentage %MM, %Ca, %P, and breaking strength experienced a positive linear effect up to the supplementation levels of approximately 25% of inclusion. The histopathological analysis found that the group that received the diet with 100% inclusion of vitamin D3 presented lesions compatible with osteopetrosis and tibial dyschondroplasia. The observed results showed that for isonutritive diets, reduced levels of vitamin D3 guaranteed performance during the evaluated period while the use of 100% of vitamin D3, as commonly used, can cause bone diseases and harm the welfare of broilers. D health 36 oneday one day Cobb500 Cobb phases IUkg IU kg 62 50 25 (25 inclusion) 1250 1 250 1,25 1000 000 1,00 50% (50 1875 875 1,87 1500 1,50 75% 75 (75 2500 2 2,50 2000 2,00 100 (100 . intake weight conversion viability 3 age removed dissected DM, DM , (DM) MM %MM (%MM) Ca %Ca (%Ca) %P P (%P macro evaluation 005 05 0.05 dyschondroplasia used broilers Cobb50 6 5 (2 125 1,2 00 1,0 (5 187 87 1,8 150 1,5 7 (7 2,5 200 2,0 10 (10 (DM (%MM (%Ca 0.0 Cobb5 ( 12 1, 18 8 15 2, 20 (1 0.

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of a 37.5 °C temperature on chick embryos during the hatching period (18-21 days of incubation) and its subsequent effect on hatchery results and the thermotolerance of broiler chicks from 28-40 days of rearing. For hatchery results, the study involved 16 trays per treatment. For performance, the study involved 360 broiler chicks from two distinct hatching temperature conditions: a control group (36.5 °C and 65% relative humidity (RH)) and a thermal manipulation group (37.5 °C/6 h/d from 18 to 21 days of incubation with 65% RH). The chicks were reared in a thermoneutral temperature until day 28. Subsequently, on day 28 post-hatch, the chicks were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 arrangement to assess the differences in thermotolerance acquisition. The primary factors were embryo thermal manipulation in the hatcher and the thermal environmental rearing from day 28 until day 40 (thermoneutrality (at a constant 23.0 °C) or thermal environmental challenge (30.0 °C/6 h/d)). No effect was observed on hatchability, residual analysis of unhatched eggs, and chick quality. No interaction was observed between treatments for performance or cloacal temperature from day 28 to day 40. However, birds reared in a thermoneutral environment exhibited higher feed intake and body weight gain from day 28 to day 40 and a lower feed conversion ratio than the birds reared in a cyclic heat temperature environment. An increase of 1 °C/6 h/d in the hatcher from day 18-21 does not affect hatchery results or enhance the adaptability of broilers to a heat stress environment during the final rearing period 375 37 5 37. C 1821 (18-2 2840 28-4 treatment 36 conditions 36.5 365 (36. 65 RH (RH) (37. C6 6 °C/ hd h d RH. . RH) Subsequently posthatch, posthatch post hatch, hatch post-hatch acquisition 4 thermoneutrality at 230 23 0 23. 30.0 300 30 (30. h/d. h/d)) hatchability eggs quality However 18-2 3 182 (18- 284 28- 36. (36 (RH (37 30. (30 h/d) 18- (18 (3 (1 (

RESUMO O ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) compreende o grupo de isômeros posicionais e geométricos do ácido linoleico. Na dieta de matrizes, aumenta a proporção de ácidos graxos saturados dos ovos e pode ser uma importante ferramenta para o estudo dos efeitos da suplementação materna de CLA sobre o metabolismo lipídico da progênie. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inclusão de CLA na dieta de matrizes de frango de corte sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos da gema, a qualidade dos ovos e a incubação. Dois lotes comerciais de matrizes Cobb500®, com 58 semanas de idade, foram suplementados com 0% ou 0,025% de CLA (trans-10, cis-12). Após 26 dias, 300 ovos por tratamento foram coletados, dois quais 30 foram utilizados para as análises de qualidade e perfil de ácidos graxos da gema, enquanto os ovos restantes foram submetidos à incubação. A qualidade das aves foi avaliada à eclosão, e o peso e conteúdo do saco vitelínico residual foram avaliados à eclosão. Ovos não eclodidos foram submetidos a análise residual. A suplementação das matrizes não influenciou os parâmetros de incubação e peso dos pintos à eclosão. Contudo, modificou o perfil de ácidos graxos da gema e do saco vitelínico, levando ao acúmulo de CLA no saco vitelínico após a eclosão. Conclui-se que a suplementação de 0,025% de CLA na dieta de matrizes não altera parâmetros de incubação e o peso da progênie à eclosão, mas modifica os perfis de ômega-6 e ácidos palmitoleico, linoleico e araquidônico tanto na gema quando no saco vitelínico residual. (CLA Objetivouse Objetivou se Cobb500 Cobb Cobb500® 5 idade 0 0025 025 0,025 trans10, trans10 trans 10, 10 (trans-10 cis12. cis12 cis 12 . cis-12) 2 dias coletados 3 eclosão Contudo Concluise Conclui ômega6 ômega 6 ômega- palmitoleico Cobb50 002 02 0,02 trans1 1 (trans-1 cis1 cis-12 Cobb5 00 0,0 (trans- cis-1 0, (trans cis-

ABSTRACT Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a group of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid. Hens fed a diet supplemented with CLA exhibit increased levels of saturated fatty acids, which may influence the quality characteristics of eggs and the offspring lipid metabolism. The present study, aimed to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of CLA for broiler breeders on the residual yolk sac fatty acid profile, egg quality, and hatchability. Two 58-week-old Cobb500® broiler breeder commercial flocks were fed diets supplemented with 0% or 0.025% CLA (trans-10, cis-12). After 26 days, 300 eggs from each treatment group were collected, and among these eggs, 30 were subjected to egg quality assessment and egg yolk fatty acid profile analysis. The remaining 270 eggs were subjected to incubation analysis. The quality of the chicks was evaluated at hatch. The residual yolk sac content and weight at hatch were also evaluated. Unhatched eggs were subjected to residual analysis. The supplementation of the breeders’ diet with 0.025% CLA did not influence the incubation parameters and the weight of the chicks at hatch. However, the egg yolk and residual yolk sac fatty acid profile were altered and CLA accumulation was increased in the residual yolk sac at hatch in this treatment group. In conclusion, CLA supplementation in the diet of breeders did not influence the incubation parameters and the weight of the chicks, although it did alter the profiles of omega-6, palmitoleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids in both egg yolk and residual yolk sac. (CLA metabolism study hatchability 58weekold weekold 58 week old Cobb500 Cobb 0 0025 025 0.025 trans10, trans10 trans 10, 10 (trans-10 cis12. cis12 cis 12 . cis-12) 2 days collected 3 analysis 27 However conclusion omega6, omega6 omega 6, 6 omega-6 palmitoleic 5 Cobb50 002 02 0.02 trans1 1 (trans-1 cis1 cis-12 omega- Cobb5 00 0.0 (trans- cis-1 0. (trans cis-

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the effects that breeder age has on digestive and immune system development; the transfer of immunoglobulins to egg yolk, yolk sac, and neonate chicks; and the immune response of chicks up to 35 days old. Three ages (32, 42, and 52 weeks) of Hubbard breeders were studied with ages as treatments. A total of 425 eggs were weighed for each of the three treatments and incubated. After hatching, a total of 300 1-day-old chicks were used in each treatment. We studied the development of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system of progeny and IgY transfer from breeder to progeny. Chicks from 52-week-old breeders had greater gastrointestinal tract growth up to seven days of life and greater body weight at 14 days. Older breeders (52 weeks) had higher amounts of IgY in serum and egg yolk. Chicks from the youngest breeders (32-weeks-old) had a better immune response at two weeks post-vaccination. It can be concluded that the older breeders have a greater capacity to immunize progeny up to 14 days. Strategies can be developed to increase IgY in the serum of young breeders and, consequently, increase the innate immunity of the newly-hatched chicks.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of two protein levels and types of formulation on performance, nutrient metabolization, and myopathies of 390 female broilers from 21 to 46 days old distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and six replicates of 13 broilers each. Treatments were two levels of protein (19.0 and 21.0%) in diets using only commercially available ingredients and three experimental formulations designed to keep similar the main nutrients that could influence nutritional performance (starch, fiber, ether extract), using unusual ingredients, with 19.0% (19E) or 21.0% (21E) crude protein and the third with 19.0% crude protein with amino acid levels similar to treatment 21P (19E+Aa). We studied broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, macroscopic muscular evaluation, and histological muscular evaluation. The design for the performance and myopathy assessment was a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, five diets × two ages (38 or 46 days). The worst feed conversion ratio was observed for the 19P treatment. Neither diet nor age had an effect on myopathies, however, older slaughter age increased the intensity of microscopic lesions. The diet 19P should be avoided and increased inclusion of lipids in diets improves nutrient utilization and, consequently, performance.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of guava extract standardized in phenolic compounds (SGE) on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal histomorphometry. A total of 300 one-day-old male Cobb-500® broiler chicks were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments (basal diet supplemented with 120 mg vitamin E/kg and basal diet supplemented with 0, 600, 800, or 1,000 mg SGE/kg) and six replicates of ten birds each. Performance was evaluated at seven and 21 days of age; digestibility of nutrients was determined by total excreta collection from 18 to 21 days of age; and histomorphometry of the small intestine was assessed at 21 days of age. Broilers fed diets supplemented with SGE or vitamin E had higher body weight and weight gain and better feed conversion than those fed unsupplemented diet at seven days of age. At the same age, there was a quadratic effect of SGE levels on body weight and weight gain, with better weights for 715 and 716 mg SGE/kg, respectively; and a decreasing linear effect for feed conversion. At 21 days of age, body weight and weight gain increased linearly with the inclusion of SGE in diet. Digestibility of feed nutrients was not influenced by treatments. Broilers fed diet supplemented with 800 or 1,000 mg SGE/kg had greater villus height and villus:crypt ratio of the duodenum than those fed unsupplemented diet. Villus height in the jejunum of broilers fed diet supplemented with 600 mg SGE/kg was lower than that of broilers that received vitamin E. Guava extract standardized in phenolic compounds can be used in diets for broilers in the starter phase, considering that the extract increases weight gain, reduces feed conversion, and helps in the development of the intestinal mucosa.

RESUMO Objetivou-se verificar o efeito do óleo de sucupira em dietas para frangos de corte sobre o desenvolvimento intestinal, metabolizabilidade da matéria seca e do nitrogênio e desempenho de frangos de corte. Um total de 350 frangos de corte Cobb500® de um dia de idade, machos, foram distribuídos em sete tratamentos com cinco repetições, totalizando 35 unidades experimentais com 10 aves cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em dieta controle negativo, quatro dietas com diferentes níveis de óleo de sucupira (100; 500; 900 e 1.300 mg/kg), dieta com mananoligossacarídeo e dieta controle positivo com antibiótico. A inclusão de 900 e 1.300 mg de óleo de sucupira prejudicou o desenvolvimento intestinal e a metabolizabilidade dos nutrientes (P <0,05). A inclusão de 100 ou 500 mg de óleo de sucupira na ração para frangos de corte foi semelhante aos tratamentos controle negativo, MOS e antibiótico para as variáveis de desempenho (todas as fases estudadas) e também para a metabolizabilidade dos nutrientes (P <0,05). Pode-se concluir que níveis elevados de óleo de sucupira não são recomendados na dieta de frangos de corte.

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to ascertain the effect of sucupira oil in diets of broilers on gut development, dry matter and nitrogen metabolizability and broilers performance. A total of 350 one-d-old, male, Cobb500® broiler were allotted in seven treatments with five replicates, totaling 35 experimental units with 10 birds each. The dietary treatments consisted of a negative control diet, four diets with different levels of sucupira oil (100; 500; 900 and 1,300 mg/kg), diet with mannanoligosaccharide and control diet with antibiotic. The inclusion of 900 and 1,300 mg of sucupira oil impaired gut development and metabolizability of nutrients (P<0.05). The inclusion of 100 or 500 mg of sucupira oil in broiler feed was similar to negative control, MOS and antibiotic treatments for performance variables (all phases studied) and also for nutrient metabolizability (P<0.05). It can be concluded that high levels of sucupira oil is not recommended in broilers diet.

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of placement time on the performance of broiler chickens and the development of their gastrointestinal tract. Two methodologies for measuring broiler performance were compared, one considering day of pulling as the first day, the other considering day of placement as the first day. A total of 1,056 one-day old male Cobb® 500 broiler chicks were subjected to treatments of different placement times after pulling from the hatchery: 3, 24, 48, and 72 h. The studied traits were: feed intake, body weight, feed conversion, viability, and gastrointestinal tract development. When day of pulling was considered the first day, feed intake and body weight at 39 days decreased as placement time increased. However, when day of placement was considered the first day, fasting up to 72 h did not have any negative effect on broiler performance at 39 days post-placement. Placement time did not affect yolk sac utilization or liver weight. At nine days post-placement, weights of gizzard + proventriculus, pancreas, and small intestine increased with increasing placement time. At seven days of age, there was no effect of placement time on villus height or crypt depth. It is possible to place broiler chicks up to 72 h post-hatching with no negative effects when day of placement is considered the first day for evaluating broiler performance.

Resumo Foi avaliado um composto comercial de ácidos orgânicos, adicionado à ração, no controle da Salmonella de frangos de corte desafiados com Salmonella Enteritidis e Salmonella Enteritidis associadas à Eimeria tenella. Foram utilizados 504 pintos de um dia, fêmeas, da linhagem Hubbard®, sendo o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x3, totalizando seis tratamentos com seis repetições e 14 aves a unidade experimental. Foi analisado o pH intestinal, o escore de lesão dos cecos, contagem de oocistos fecais e a presença de salmonela no baço e tonsilas cecais das aves. Aves desafiadas com S. Enteritidis que receberam ácidos apresentaram menor frequência de isolamento da bactéria nos órgãos linfoides analisados. Assim como apresentaram redução no número de oocistos de E. tenella nas excretas coletadas diretamente na bandeja e redução dos escores de lesão intestinal provocadas pela infecção por Eimeria tenella. Os ácidos orgânicos promoveram benefício à saúde intestinal dos frangos de corte com reflexos positivos no controle da Salmonella Enteritidis juntamente com a Eimeria tenella.

Abstract A commercial organic acids compound was assessed, added to feed, to control Salmonella Enteritidis. Broilers were challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Enteritidis associated with Eimeria tenella. Five hundred and four day-old Hubbard® females chicks were used in a completely randomized design in a 2x3 factorial, a total of six treatments with six replications and being 14 birds the experimental unit. Intestinal pH, cecum lesion score, oocyst faecal counts and the presence of Salmonella in the cecal tonsils and spleen of broilers were investigated. Broilers that were challenged only with S. Enteritidis that received the compound in test showed lower frequency of bacteria isolation in lymphoid organs. Besides, decreased number of oocysts of E. tenella was observed and the intestinal lesion scores caused by infection was lower. Organic acids promoted a benefit on broilers intestinal health with positive effects on the control of Salmonella Enteritidis with Eimeria tenella.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar parâmetros reprodutivos e o desempenho de diferentes grupos genéticos de codornas japonesas com diferentes pesos iniciais de produção. O delineamento experimental utilizado para os dados de desempenho zootécnico das aves foi inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial 3 x 2 (três linhagens: UEM1, UEM2 e Comercial (COM), e duas classes de peso: leves e pesadas), totalizando seis tratamentos, com oito repetições cada, portanto 48 parcelas. Cada parcela continha oito aves (dois machos e seis fêmeas), num total de 384 codornas. Foi analisado: a idade ao primeiro ovo, idade aos 50% de produção, idade de pico de produção e persistência de pico em semanas. O desempenho foi analisado por meio da produção de ovos, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e mortalidade. Ainda, foi estudado a produção de ovos incubáveis. A linhagem COM apresentou maior peso vivo às seis semanas de idade, sendo UEM 1 e UEM 2 semelhantes entre si. Para a idade ao primeiro ovo, o grupo COM se equiparou UEM 1, sendo a UEM 2 foi mais tardia. Já para a variável idade aos 50% de produção de ovos a linhagem COM apresentou-se mais precoce em relação às demais linhagens. Não foi observado efeito do peso das codornas sobre a idade do primeiro ovo. Não houve efeito de interação entre linhagem e peso inicial das aves para nenhuma das variáveis de desempenho reprodutivo estudadas. Ainda, pode-se observar que não houve diferença entre os grupos genéticos ou peso corporal inicial para produção de ovos, quando considerado o período de 6 a 26 semanas de idade. Não houve diferença entre os grupos genéticos para consumo de ração durante o período de 20 semanas estudado e não houve efeito do peso inicial de produção sobre essa variável (P>0,05). A conversão alimentar kg/dz, melhorou pelos grupos das linhagens UEM 1 e UEM 2. Para a peso de ovos incubáveis o grupo comercial apresentou maior peso. Foi possível concluir que o melhoramento genético de codornas japonesas de postura necessita aprimoramento e que linhagem comercial não melhorada pode apresentar resultados semelhantes às linhagens melhoradas.

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the performance and reproductive parameters of different genetics groups of Japanese quails with different initial weights. The experimental design was completely randomized, with a factorial 3 x 2 (three strains (UEM1, UEM2 and Commercial (COM)) and two weight classes (light and heavy), totaling six treatments. Was used with eight replications, totaling 48 plots. Each plot contained eight birds (two males and six females), with a total of 384 quails. The COM line presented higher live weight at six weeks of age, being UEM 1 and UEM 2 similar to each other. For age at first egg, the COM group equated EMU 1, with EMU 2 being later. For the variable age at 50% of egg production, the COM strain was earlier than the others. No effect of quail weight was observed on the age of the first egg. There was no interaction effect between strain and initial weight of the birds for any of the reproductive performance. Also, it can be observed that there was no difference between the genetic groups or initial body weight for egg production, when considered the period from six to 26 weeks of age. There was no difference between the genetic groups for feed intake during the 20-week period studied and there was no effect of the initial weight of production on this variable. For the results of the feed conversion index kg/eggs, it can be observed that the best results were presented by the groups of the EMU 1 and EMU 2 strains. It was possible to conclude that genetic improvement of Japanese laying quails requires better adjusts and that an unimproved commercial strain may present similar results to the improved lineages.

ABSTRACT Since few studies have addressed the embryonic development of Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), the objective of the present study was to evaluate its embryonic development in the Cerrado region of Brazil and compare the results to published descriptions of the embryonic development of other domestic bird species. The commercialized weight for Guinea fowl eggs used in the experiment was found to be 37.57 g, while egg fertility was 92%. Embryo growth rate (%) was higher on the sixth day of incubation relative to other days. The heart began beating on the third day of development, while eye pigmentation and upper and lower limb buds appeared on the sixth day. The yolk sac was incorporated on the 24th day followed by chick external pipping and hatching on the 28th day. Comparisons revealed that the embryonic development of Guinea fowl exhibits both similarities to, and differences from, the embryonic development of other domestic birds. From three days of embryonic development, differences were observed among the compared species. Despite the same incubation period, Guinea fowl embryos develop faster than turkeys. All species begin internal pecking two days before hatching and internal pecking 24 h before hatching.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a utilização de óleo de copaíba ou sucupira na ração de frangos de corte, sobre o desempenho e saúde intestinal. Foram utilizados 600 pintos de corte machos, da linhagem Cobb500 com um dia de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições com 25 aves cada. Com o objetivo de aumentar o desafio, as aves foram criadas sobre cama reutilizada. Os tratamentos consistiram de: ração controle; ração com antibiótico melhorador de desempenho avilamicina; ração com 2.000 mg/kg de óleo de copaíba e ração com 500 mg/kg de óleo sucupira. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste Tukey (5%). A adição de 500 mg/kg do óleo de sucupira resultou em queda do desempenho das aves no período de 21, 33 e 40 dias de idade, já a adição do óleo de copaíba proporcionou resultados de desempenho semelhantes ao antibiótico. A suplementação com óleo de copaíba ou sucupira não promoveu alterações no epitélio intestinal dos frangos avaliados. A adição do óleo de sucupira foi prejudicial ao desempenho das aves. O óleo de copaíba pode ser utilizado em dietas para frangos como melhorador de desempenho.

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental copaiba or sucupira oils on broiler performance and intestinal health. A total of 600 one-day old Cobb 500 male broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates with 25 broilers each. To increase the health challenge, the broilers were reared on reused litter. The treatments consisted of: control diet; diet with a performance enhancing antibiotic (avilamycin); diet with 2,000 mg/kg copaiba oil and a diet with 500 mg/kg sucupira oil. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test (5%). The addition of sucupira oil at 500 mg/kg decreased broiler performance at 21, 33, and 40 days of age, whereas the addition of copaiba oil resulted in similar performance relative to the antibiotic. Dietary supplementation of copaiba or sucupira oils did not change the intestinal epithelium of broilers. The addition of sucupira oil negatively affected broiler performance. Copaiba oil can be used in broiler diets as a performance enhancer.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to characterize the profile of milk cattle farmers of the Northwest region of Minas Gerais State regarding the use of artificial insemination (AI) and see the most relevant factors in the perception of farmers for the adoption process of AI. From January to April 2014, 97 milk cattle farmers associated to milk cooperatives of the municipalities of northeastern Minas Gerais were interviewed. Of those interviewed farmers, 61.3% did not use artificial insemination. The majority (92.48%) of respondents were male and 48.88% were over 53 years of age, with low schooling, incomplete primary education (28.57%), or complete primary education (25.97%). Among the respondents, 66.67% had over 20 years experience in dairy farming. The average breeders by property were 99, and the average size of properties was 73 hectares (ha). In general, it was found that personal motivation is the main driver for the adoption of AI, and it is more linked to positive expectations generated by the phenotype of the animals than to economic factors. The prerequisites for adoption of AI are in the background and, among them, manpower, infrastructure, and animal handling are prominent, followed by social influence, evidenced by entities and persons involved in AI and in the daily life of farmers. Little emphasis on human resource management and use of scientific knowledge may have affected the adoption of biotechnology, resulting in low utilization. It is also possible to associate the advanced age of farmers to the resistance to the use of reproductive biotechnologies.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate a technique for quantifying eggshell conductance using shell fragments from hatched eggs. Additional objectives were to calculate the correlation between eggshell conductance, porosity, and thickness and correlate these parameters with incubation data. The study design was fully randomized in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme (three egg regions - large end, equator, and narrow end - and three ages of broiler breeders – 29, 35, and 59 weeks). A total of 216 eggs were used, with 24 repetitions for each treatment. Neither conductance nor shell thickness showed any interaction with egg region. Breeder age influenced eggshell conductance, such that it was greatest in eggshells from 59-week breeders (0.323 mg day−1 torr−1), while for 29-week and 35-week breeders, the conductance values found were 0.285 and 0.270 mg day−1 torr−1, respectively. The eggshell thickness was similar in eggs from 29 and 35-week breeders and these were greater than the thickness of eggshells from 59-week breeders. Correlations between mean eggshell conductance and chick body weight and yolk free chick body weight were found significant. There were no correlations between mean eggshell thickness and any of the data evaluated. There were positive correlations between mean eggshell porosity and egg weight loss up to the time of transfer, chick weight, and yolk free body weight. The technique of using eggshell fragments can be used for measuring eggshell conductance. Eggshell porosity is the characteristic that best correlates with incubation parameters.

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to evaluate combinations of different storage periods and temperature of hatching eggs of breeder quails in two stages of the production cycle (24 and 43 weeks) on hatchability, quail neonate quality, and Bursa of Fabricius characteristics. In each experiment, a total of 1.050 Japanese quail eggs were incubated in a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 5 × 2, with two breeder ages (24 and 43 weeks), five storage periods (one, three, six, nine, and twelve days), and two storage temperatures (28 and 14 °C), totaling 20 treatments with 52 eggs each. Quantitative data were subjected to ANOVA and means were compared by Tukey's test. Qualitative data were subjected to Friedman's test. Polynomial regression analysis was performed in relation to the storage period of the eggs. Hatchability of 43-week-old breeders worsened as the storage period increased at 28 °C, while at 14 °C, hatchability was not affected. Yolk-free body weight was influenced only by storage period; therefore, the group stored for 12 days had the lowest yolk-free body weight. Twelve days of storage reduced the absorption of yolk residue and physical quality score and also affected neonate quail immunity. Fertile eggs from Japanese quails that are destined for incubation should be stored at 14 °C to maintain physical and immunological quality of the progeny. Moreover, eggs from older breeders originate lower-quality quails when eggs are not stored in a refrigerated environment.