Effect of manipulating incubation temperature during late embryogenesis on sex reversal and post-hatch performance in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

Abstract

Incubation temperature has been speculated to influence embryo sex and post-hatch o o o performance hence, five different incubators were calibrated at 36 C, 37 C (control), 38 C, o o 39 C and 40 C. In each incubator, 123 eggs were set based on weight and each egg tray held 41 eggs. On incubation days 11, 12 and 13, the temperature was paused for 5hrs, to alter the embryo sex. Brooding temperature, feed intake, sex reversal, sexual maturity, carcass quality and organs weight of the birds were determined using standard operations. Mean brooding o o o temperature was 34.81 C, 34.61 C and 34.74 C in weeks 1, 2 and 3. Feed intake in week 2 was o o o highest (11.75 g) in chicks hatched at 40 C, followed by 10.84 g (38 C), 9.94 g (37 C), 8.82 g o o o o (39 C) and 7.67 g (36 C). The chicks hatched at 39 C and 40 C, started laying at 5 weeks of o o age, compared to those hatched at 36oC, 37 C and 38 C that laid at 6 weeks. There was sex o reversal among the hatched chicks 24 hatched at 39 C. Carcass weight values varied between o o o 68.12 g (37 C) and 97.44g (36 C). Survivability value varied between 2.27% (36 C) and o 70.5% (40 C). Thus, manipulating incubation temperature during late embryogenesis may reverse sex and enhance post-hatch performance in Japanese quails.