Effects of different floor spaces and betaine supplementation on performance and physiology of quails

Abstract

Decreased productive performance due to heat stress in poultry often occurs in tropical environments. This study seeks to see the body temperature and productive performance of quail in different floor spaces and levels of betaine supplementation. The study was designed as a completely randomized design, consisting of two floor spaces (225 and 164 cm2/bird) and supplementation treatment (0% and 0.15% betaine). ANOVA test and DMRT were applied to catch the effect of treatments. Body temperature measurements showed that rectal and wing temperatures in quail with betaine supplementation were lower than in the control treatment (P<0.05). These results correspond with the betaine group’s feed, protein, and energy efficiency, which is better than the control (P<0.05). The egg production at floor spaces 225 cm2 and 164 cm2 supplemented with betaine was higher than the control groups (P<0.05), with values of 69.55% and 66.49%, respectively. Based on this study, we concluded that betaine supplementation to 225 cm2/bird and 164 cm2/bird floor spaces reduced heat stress and improved laying quail performance.

The effect of introducing heat stress on the eating and drinking behavior of laying quail

“…The THI during the day shows the highest value. The THI shows an average value of 27.31, indicating the birds expressing heat stress [9]. The birds exhibit signs of heat stress when the THI value surpasses 21 [12], and this is supported by behavioral responses that have been measured.…”

“…The climate data was recorded in the morning (7.00h), day (13.00h), and evening (19.00h), according to Rantau et al [9]. The temperature humidity index (THI) to determine heat stress was calculated as follows: THI=0.6Tdb+0.4Twb, where Tdb=dry-bulb temperature (°C), and Twb =wet-bulb temperature (°C) [10].…”