Effect Of Lead Exposure On Egg Production, Quality And Hatchability In Quail Birds (Coturnix Japonica)

Abstract

Thirty Quail birds (9 males and 21 females) weighing between (50-55g) and (115-125g) were divided into three groups in a ratio 3:7 as males and females maintained on normal standard diet (ECWA feeds Jos) and water ad-libitum.



Birds in groups II, test I and groups III, test II were exposed to lead acetate (0.05%) at the ages of two and eight weeks (postnatal & maturity onset) respectively. The experiment lasted for 13 weeks.



Fluid and feed intake was monitored daily as well as body weight gain/loss. Egg quality was determined using egg quality factors, as egg weight, shell thickness, Haugh unit, albumin index and some biochemical parameters of the egg content.



No significant difference was observed in the mean fluid and feed intake in the two treatment groups compared to control group.



The weekly body weight was lower in the treatment groups (T1 & T11) compared to normal control, with the test I group being more pronounced and was statistically significant (P<0.05).



The egg quality was low both in terms of the physical and chemical analysis in the treatment groups (T1 & T11) compared to control and was statistically significant (P< 0.05).



Hatchability was also subsequently low, with lowest observed in test, 1, compared to normal control group and was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol.9, No.3 (1999) pp. 234-237