indian Vet. J., August 2007; 84 : 836 • 838 EFFECT OF NOCTURNAL FEEDING ON EGG PRODUCTION AND EGG QUALlTY IN JAPANESE QUAILS M. Yerturk1, M. Avci2 and O. Kaplan2 1Department of Animal Sciences, 2Department of Animal Nutrition, Fac. Vet. Med. Harran University, Sanliurfa, 63300, Turkey (Received: 10-06-2006; Accepted : 03-10-2006) 15th, 18th and 22nd week of experimental feeding were utilized for quality testing in respect of shal'\'9 index, shell thickness, specific gravity, albumen, shell and yolk weight. Temperature and humidity in the poultry house was recorded with a TESTO 175 instrument. Materials and Methods Exposure of poultry flocks to ambien\ temperature above the zone of minimum metabolism results in an increase in endogenous heat production. Exposure to high ambient temperature has a profound economic impact on Iivability, growth rate, egg production, egg shell quality, and feed conversion effieieney. (Zulkifli and Siegel, 1995). The present study was planned to investigate the effects of noctumal feeding on laying performance and egg quality of Japanese quails reared under natural hot conditions. Data were statistically analyzed by a one-way ANOVA, and the means were compared by the Duncan's muitiple - range test (SPSS, 1996). i 1 R_e_s_u_l_ts_a_n_d_O_i_S_C_U_S_S_io_n __ ~------------- The mean daily temperatures in the The experiment was conducted hen-house ranged from 30.7 to 38.8°C during the hot season (June-August). Two during the experiment. Humidity was hundred and twenty five Japanese quai1s recorded as 52 to 54% live weight, egg of 10 weeks of age, were randomly production, feed consumption, feed distributed into 3 groups of 75 each. Quails conversion ratio, egg weight, egg quality in the control group were fed ad /ibitum. of the animals are presented in Table. The Juails in the experimental groups i and ii feed consumption in noctural feeding was were fed ad /ibitum daytime (07 to 17 h) significantiy higher than diurnal feeding. and niglrtt (17 to 07h), respectively. Peguri and Coon, (1991) reported ~hat laying hens consume less feed at a high Chemical analysis of the diets was environment temperature (32.8C) carried out using the procedures of AOAC compared to that at a low environment (1f':)0). temperature (13.8C). The high Feed consumption, daily egg environmental temperature may induce a production and egg weight were recorded. thermo regulatory response from the Feed conversion ratio was calculated. thermally sensitive lobe in the anterior Fifteen eggs from each of the three groups hypothalamic area that depress feed laid upto two consecutive days during the intake. Indian Veterinary Journal August 2007