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This study investigated the effects of pre-heating fertile Japanese quail eggs during storage on embryonic development, incubation performance, hatched chick quality, and chick performance up to 35 days of age. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design in a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, totaling seven treatments. These treatments included three storage periods (3.5, 6.5, and 9.5 days) and two pre-heating periods (0 and 4 h at 37.5°C and 60% RH). Pre-heating was conducted on the third day of egg storage inside the incubator machine, with the control treatment involving the storage of fertile eggs for 12 h without pre-heating. Extended egg storage for more than six days led to an increase in the percentages of yolk and shell, elevated albumen pH, reduced albumen percentage, diminished hatchability rate, and an increased embryonic mortality rate. Pre-heating the eggs resulted in a reduction in the weight, length, and amount of residual yolk sac of the newly hatched chick. No significant effects of pre-heating fertile Japanese quail eggs during storage were observed on the studied variables. Therefore, the protocol involving a 4-h pre-heating at 37.5 ºC and 60% relative humidity during the storage period does not yield improvements in incubation rates or chick quality in Japanese quail. Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal protocol for pre-heating Japanese quail eggs.

Um animal é considerado saudável quando se encontra em um estado de bem-estar biopsicossocial. A domesticação e a forma de criação influenciam de maneira significativa na vida dos animais, determinando aspectos comportamentais e fisiológicos. Hamsters costumam ser criados em gaiolas, que são ambientes muito reduzidos em relação ao que esses roedores costumam viver quando livres na natureza. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as mudanças que ocorreram em hamsters devido a domesticação e, conforme isso, determinar qual é a melhor condição de criação para que esses animais vivam em bem-estar.

Physical activity has been widely investigated in horses to elucidate locomotion characteristics and behavior. However, research in real environment of training stables is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of training regimen on night time physical activity of racehorses. Physical activities of twenty animals were monitored during the night time using accelerometers. The animals were compared in terms of training regimen: horses subjected to training on continual days, and horses subjected to training on intermittent days; age and sex were also considered. The variables analyzed were: counts per minute, percentage of time in (sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous) physical activity. Statistical analysis was performed by the PROCGLM procedure (ANOVA) and the means were calculated by Tukey's test. The training regimen impacts the physical activity of thoroughbreds. The mean counts per minute showed a higher physical activity in the intermittent trained animals in relation with continuously trained animals. The continuously trained animals presented a greater percentage of time in sedentary physical activity than those intermittent trained. However, intermittently trained horses spent a larger percentage of time in moderate and vigorous physical activity, in comparison with continuously trained animals. In conclusion, racehorses subject to training on continual days have lower physical activity in the night time than those that train on intermittent days.