Comparison of growth and developmental stability traits of Japanese quails reared in conventional and enriched cages

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different rearing systems on some performance and welfare characteristics in Japanese quail. For this purpose, a total of 630 birds were housed in battery-type conventional cages, conventional floor cages and enriched floor cages. There were statistically significant differences between the experimental groups and the sexes in terms of the average body weight of the quails at 42 and 56 days of age (both P<0.01). Accordingly, it was determined that the average body weight of the quails raised in the conventional battery cages were higher than those raised both in the conventional and enriched floor cages.Gompertz growth curve model parameters of β0, β1, β2 were estimated as 262.05, 3.76, 0.050 for birds housed in battery-type conventional cages, 228.12, 3.57, 0.042 for birds housed in conventional floor cages, and 252.53, 3.86, 0.045 for birds housed in enriched floor cages, respectively. Among the bilateral traits, the highest mean value of relative asymmetry was found for wing length of birds reared in conventional battery type cages (P<0.01). As a result, it was determined that quails raised in conventional battery type cages are more advantageous for economic production. However, it may be recommended to use enrichment objects for an animal welfare oriented production system.

Comparison of Hatching Results, Growth Traits, and Slaughter-Carcass Characteristics of Japanese Quails Classified by Hatching Egg Weight

“…In the study, the β2 parameter of the Gompertz model was found to be between 0.051 and 0.058. These values are in line with the results (0.046-0.065) reported by many researchers (Beiki et al, 2013;Gürcan et al, 2017;Kaplan and Gürcan, 2018;Narinç and Genç, 2021;Narinç and Sabuncuoğlu, 2022) fitting growth in Japanese quails using the Gompertz model.…”

“…The estimated inflection point ages in the experimental groups were between 23.77 days and 26.62 days. In the study, the estimated values for the inflection point age of the Gompertz model in quails in different groups were found to be compatible with the results (21.20-27.88 days) of many studies (Alkan et al, 2009;Kaplan and Gürcan, 2018;Narinç and Sabuncuoğlu, 2022).…”

Influences of Dietary Supplementation with Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on Performance, Parameters of Growth Curve and Carcass Characteristics in Japanese Quail

“…There are quite a few differences between the live weight values of Japanese quails due to the domestication, adaptation to cage conditions and genetic selection studies. While body weight values at the age of six weeks have been reported as 100-130 g in some studies [34,35], these averages have been reported to be in the range of 250-300 g in other studies [36,37]. In studies in which the growth of Japanese quails was examined with the Gompertz model, the mature-weight parameter was found in the range of 224-295 g [38,39].…”

The Behavioral and Productive Characteristics of Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica) Exposed to Different Monochromatic Lighting

“…Similarly, the Shapiro-Wilk test was utilized to establish whether or not the group's differences were normally distributed. According to the results, the group's symmetry type was identified [30]. This approach classifies the type of symmetry as fluctuation asymmetry when the distribution is normal and the mean is zero.…”