Effect of Feed Restriction on some Behavioral Patterns, Productive, and Reproductive traits in Japanese Quail

Abstract

The current study was conducted to investigate the impact of feed restriction on behavioral patterns, productive, and reproductive performance of Japanese Quail. Total number of 480 quail aged 6 weeks of both sexes were equally assigned to four groups (3 replicates per group). First Group (G1) was allowed to eat the whole day (control group). Second (G2), Third (G3), and Fourth Group (G4) were allowed to eat two times, three times, and four times per day respectively. All groups were subjected to 16 hours of light per day. Behavior of birds was observed 3 days per week. Body weight, productive performance (egg weight and quality), and reproductive performance (fertility and hatchability) were measured for all groups. Results were analyzed using mixed models in SPSS. Analysis showed that feeding twice a day significantly reduces the body weight (P<0.057), frequency of sexual behavior (P<0.05), percentage of fertility (P<0.0001), hatchability (P<0.001), percentage of unhatched fertile eggs (P<0.0001), and clear eggs (P<0.0001), compared to the control group. While feeding three and four times a day had a significantly higher effect on egg production (P<0.0001), egg weight (P<0.0001), fertility (P<0.0001), and hatchability (P<0.001) than feeding twice a day. Results showed that feed restriction could be used to protect the health and welfare of Japanese quail.

Impact of early feed restriction and continued supplementation with coated organic acid and essential oils on sustainability of laying performance, egg quality, fertility, hatchability, immunity status, and gut microbiota of Japanese quail hens

“…Tchoffo et al (2019) observed that quail diets supplemented with ginger essential oil did not significantly influence yolk weight. On the other hand, Elsanhoury et al (2023) illustrated that quails fed four times a day had considerably decreased yolk index compared with other groups, which was similar to the control but increased albumin index.…”

“…In addition, 30% FR during 15-28 days did not affect first EW (Ocak and Erener, 2005). On the contrary, Elsanhoury et al (2023) showed that quails fed twice and four times a day had substantially increased egg weight at 6-9 weeks of age and, which was similar to the control. Mahrose et al (2020) indicated a significant positive effect on JQ hens' LR, EW, BWG, and FCR due to FR (30 g/birds/ day), but BW decreased compared to the control group.…”

“…Our results agree partially with those cited by Mahrose et al (2020), who reported that quails exposed to FR (30 g and 35 g/bird/day) and fed ad libitum had increased shell thickness with no influence on shape index and eggshell % compared to other groups. Also, Elsanhoury et al (2023) demonstrated that feeding quails twice, three, and four times a day did not significantly impact egg shape index and shell thickness compared to the control. However, Gholami and Nobakht (2017) showed that shell thickness was decreased in quail exposed to FR, but BWG and eggshell were enhanced.…”

“…Henrich and Marks (1995) found that rearing quails under 30% FR at 1-44 days of age did not significantly impact hatchability %. On the other hand, Elsanhoury et al (2023) illustrated that quails fed three times a day significantly increased fertility and hatchability % compared to the other group. Mahrose et al (2020) observed that quails reared under FR (35 g/bird/day) improved fertility and hatchability percentages compared to other groups exposed to FR at 20 g, and 30 g/bird/day, and the control group, too.…”

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“…Most commercial egg industries followed traditional strategies to re-enhance the egg production, egg quality, and immunity of aged laying hens for a second laying cycle, such as force molting programs; feed restriction, photoperiod manipulations, high dietary levels of zinc, and hormonal injection. [1,2] Hence, the egg production, egg quality, and immunity of the layer flocks decline with aging. [3] These declines might have an association with an decrease in reproductive hormones, nutrients absorption, metabolism, and an increase in body fat percentages which may be inhibited the growth of ovarian follicles.…”