This study was carried out to evaluate the parameters related to hatchability of fertile eggs of Japanese quails. The eggs were stored for three periods (0, 72, and 144 hours), and incubated at two humidity (55 and 65%) and two temperatures (36.5 and 37.5°C) levels. A complete randomized design with a 3 x 2 x 2 (storage period x humidity x temperature) factorial arrangement was used. Evaluations were performed at 276, 324, 362, and 420 hours of incubation and at hatch moment. There was no significant interaction among the studied variables. Initially, the speed of embryo development was affected by storage period and hatchery temperature, but as incubation period advanced the development was similar in all experimental groups. The embryo mortality, especially in the early phase, was higher in eggs stored for 144 hours and in eggs incubated at 65% of relative humidity, after shell breaking. The eclosion was faster in eggs incubated at 37.5°C, 65% of relative humidity and stored more than 72 hours. The hatchability was higher in the eggs stored until 72 hours. Quail eggs must be incubated at 37.5°C and 55 or 65% of relative humidity and stored until 72 hours.
Coturnix coturnix japonica; embryo; incubation
