ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to evaluate the performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with 94 (+49) days of age, through the production and quality of the eggs, with the birds kept in environments illuminated with LED lamps in the colors white, blue and red. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with three treatments (lamp colors) and seven replications. In the three environments, the relative air temperature averages can be considered above the thermal comfort zone for quails; however, the black globe temperature index, humidity and the thermal radiation load can be considered comfortable. The laying percentage of the birds kept under white LED was inferior to those maintained in the red LED. The feed intake, the feed conversion, the average weight and the egg quality were not affected by the different lamp colors (P <0.05) or by the climatic indexes that were within the average for the species, and these lamps could be used in the production of quail eggs.

A produção de ovos de galinha acompanhando a evolução de pesquisas e o desenvolvimento de projetos inovadores vem ganhando espaço expressivo a cada ano, nos mercados nacional e internacional. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar a influência da temperatura do ar e da umidade relativa na qualidade dos ovos de galinha para consumo humano durante o seu transporte entre a granja e o entreposto final. A pesquisa foi conduzida em uma granja de galinhas de postura em Esperança, PB, e foram realizados seis carregamentos. Utilizou-se um caminhão modelo F-4000, sem controle da climatização. Foram utilizados ovos de coloração vermelha de poedeiras semipesadas da linhagem Lohmann (Brown) e avaliados os seguintes parâmetros de qualidade: massa do ovo, gravidade específica, unidade Haugh, espessura de casca, índice de gema e pH. Para a análise estatística foi realizado o teste de Dunnett a 0,05 de probabilidade comparando, assim, as amostras finais com as testemunhas da granja. Foi verificada que, nas condições dos carregamentos, apenas a unidade Haugh apresentou perda de qualidade nas viagens mais longas.

The production of chicken eggs, following the evolution of research and development of innovative projects, is gaining significance every year in national and international market. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of air temperature and relative humidity on the quality of chicken eggs for human consumption during transport between the farm and the final warehouse. The research was conducted on a poultry farm (egg-laying) in Esperança, in the State of Paraíba, Brazil, and six loads were conducted. A F-4000 truck model was used without climate control. Red eggs of Lohmann (Brown) lineage were used and the following quality parameters were evaluated: egg mass, specific gravity, Haugh unit, shell thickness, yolk index and pH. For statistical analysis, the Dunnett’s test at 0.05 probability level was performed, thus comparing the final samples with the control from the farm. It was found that under the loading conditions only Haugh unit showed loss of quality during long trips.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos de poedeiras criadas em gaiolas enriquecidas e ambiente controlado, alojadas em câmara climática sob três temperaturas: 20, 26 e 32 ºC e U.R, 60%. As gaiolas apresentavam bebedouros, comedouros, ninhos e uma área com areia e lixa. Foram utilizadas 36 poedeiras da linhagem Dekalb White, com 27 semanas de idade, com seis aves/gaiolas. Foram analisados o consumo de ração e água, a produção e a qualidade dos ovos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos e seis repetições. Nas condições ambiente de 20 e 26 ºC as aves se mostraram dentro da zona de conforto térmico sem diferença significativa e apresentando efeito positivo na qualidade dos ovos com melhores valores das médias nos parâmetros de qualidade. Na temperatura ambiente de 32 ºC, considerada fora da zona de conforto térmico, as aves apresentaram evidências de estresse térmico, propiciando aumento da ingestão de água, redução no consumo de ração, redução nos valores de percentual de produção e nos parâmetros de qualidade dos ovos. As gaiolas enriquecidas foram adequadas às galinhas apresentando produção de ovos com boa resistência da casca.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and egg quality of laying hens raised in furnished cages and controlled environment, housed in a climate chamber under three temperatures: 20, 26 and 32 ºC and relative humidity of 60%. The cages had drinkers, feeders, nests and an area with sand and sandpaper. Thirty six Dekalb White lineage hens were used with 27 weeks of age with six animals per cage. The consumption of food and water, production and egg quality were analysed. The experimental design was in completely randomized design with three treatments and six replications. In ambient conditions of 20 and 26 ºC, birds were within the ZTC (Thermal Confort Zone), with no significant difference, with positive effect on egg quality with best values in mean quality parameters. In ET (Environmental Temperature) of 32 ºC, considered out of ZTC, the birds showed evidence of heat stress, providing increased water intake, reduced feed intake, values of percentage of production and egg quality parameters. Enriched cages were adequate to laying hens, showing egg production with good shell strength.