This work investigates laying performances and egg quality of 200 quails during 266 laying days. The first collected 240 eggs, for the periods: 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44 weeks were used in this study. The average laying rate calculated over a period of 37 weeks is 74.44 %. All studied eggs quality parameters were significantly (p<0.001) influenced by the age of the quail. The average weight of the whole egg (13.66 g), yolk (3.99 g) and shell (2.28 g) reach their maximum value at the 40th week. The maximum albumen average weight (7.45 g) was observed at 32nd week. Albumen (12.02) and yolk (48.72) indices recorded their highest values at the 12th and the 16th weeks, respectively. The eggs freshness, expressed here by Haugh units decreased with age. They range from 89.56 at the 12th week to 83.71 at the 44th week of age. Yolk color registered values with irregular fluctuations (7.12 to 9.33) in a colorimetric scale of 15 ladders. Highly significant and positive correlations (p<0.001) and were recorded between the whole egg weight and the weight of albumen, yolk and shell. To conclude, the quail age affects significantly the various egg quality parameters.

Le présent travail propose une évaluation des performances de ponte et de la qualité des oeufs de cailles. Pour cette étude, les oeufs de 200 cailles ont été récoltés toutes les 4 semaines à partir de la 12ème semaine d'âge jusque la 44ème semaine d'âge. Pour chaque période de récolte, les 240 premiers oeufs ont été pris en compte. Le taux de ponte moyen calculé sur une période de 37 semaines est de 74,44 %. Tous les paramètres de qualité d'oeufs étudiés ont été significativement (p<0,001) influencés par l'âge des cailles. Les poids moyens de l'oeuf entier (13,66 g), du jaune (3,99 g) et de la coquille (2,28 g) atteignent leurs valeurs maximales à la 40ème semaine. Le poids moyen du blanc arrive à sa valeur maximale de 7,45 gr à la 32ème semaine. Les indices du blanc (12,02) et du jaune (48,72) ont présenté leurs valeurs maximales respectivement à la 12ème et à la I6ème semaine d'âge. La fraicheur des oeufs, exprimée par les unités d'Haugh diminue avec l'âge. Elle passe de 89,56 Unités d'Haugh (UH) à la 12ème semaine d'âge à 83,71 UH à la 44ème semaine d'âge. La couleur du jaune présente des valeurs avec des fluctuations irrégulières (7,12 à 9,33) selon une échelle colorimétrique de 15 échelles (l'éventail DSM de couleurs du jaune de l'oeuf). En conclusion, l'âge influence significativement les différents paramètres de qualité de l'oeuf de caille.

Quality variations in retail eggs are widely reported. This study aims at assessing the quality of eggs according to the marketing channel in the department of Bejaia (Algeria). In spring and summer 2012, 3330 eggs were bought in 30 stores divided into 3 categories: 10 supermarkets (1146 eggs), 10 public markets (1048 eggs), and 10 shops (1136 eggs). Egg weights differed significantly between marketing channels with 58.9±0.14, 61.2±0.13 and 62.8±0.13 g for public markets, shops and supermarkets, respectively (p<0.001). Although shell thickness was similar for all marketing channels, the proportion of damaged eggs was higher in public markets (9.0%), intermediate in food shops (7.3%) and lower in supermarkets (5.7%; p<0.05). The yolk/albumen ratio was significantly higher for eggs from supermarkets (48.0%) compared with the other channels (around 47.4%; p<0.05). The freshness of the eggs, measured by the Haugh method, was lower in public markets (74.3 units), intermediate in shops (77.6 units) and higher in supermarkets (79.9 units; p<0.05). The price of eggs, expressed in Algerian Dinar (AD) per kg, was significantly lower in public markets (124 AD/kg) compared with the two other channels (around 131 AD/kg; p<0.05). It is possible to conclude that egg quality in Bass Kabylie differs significantly among marketing channels, with higher quality observed in supermarkets. The lower quality of eggs in public markets is associated with lower price. Eggs from shops present an intermediate quality. A one-year study would allow studying both the potential seasonal effect and compare intrinsic variability across marketing channels.