Abstract
One thousand and eighty eggs of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) were set into the incubator maintaining 36 treatment groups (3 egg weight groups ${\times}3$ seasons ${\times}4$ preincubation holding periods) to evaluate their hatchability performances. Holding periods had significant (p<0.05) effect on hatchability and the seasons showed significant (p<0.05) effect on chick weight. All the parameters (except fertility) were significantly (p<0.01) influenced by the egg weight. None of the parameters maintained regular trend with egg weight and pre-incubation holding periods. Significant interactions were not observed on any of the parameters (except fertility) studied. The egg weight maintained significant (p<0.05) negative correlation with fertility and positive correlation with chick weight. Eggs of medium weight (9.10 to 10.00 cm) could be hatched satisfactorily between 4 and 7 days of pre-incubation holding periods in any season of the year.