Impact of cage stocking density on egg laying characteristics and related stress and immunity parameters of Japanese quails in subtropics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different cage stocking densities on egg production parameters, as well as related stress and immunity indices in Japanese quails under subtropical Egyptian conditions. Two hundred and sixteen birds of Japanese quail at 14th week of age were used in this experiment. The birds were divided randomly into three groups: 60, 72 and 84. Each group subdivided into 4 replicates, where the cages' floor spaces were 200 (S1 ), 167 (S2 ) and 143 (S3 ) cm(2) /bird, respectively. Birds housed at 200 cm(2) /bird (S1 ) had superior fertility (fertility % (p = 0.013) and hatchability % (p = 0.041)), egg production (egg weight (p = 0.034) and egg mass (p = 0.001)) and immunity parameters (higher geometric mean of antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus, p = 0.024). Furthermore, they had higher internal egg quality score: albumen height (p = 0.003), yolk height (p = 0.023), yolk index (p = 0.006) and Haugh unit (p = 0.035). Birds housed at 143 cm(2) /bird (S3 ) had the lowest total leucocytic count and lymphocyte % (p = 0.022), but the highest H/L ratio (p = 0.001). Corticosterone concentration was lower in S1 group (p = 0.031) than that in groups housed at higher densities. Japanese quail housed at high densities revealed drop in fertility, hatchability, production and immunity parameters, indicating a detrimental effects on both welfare and economic income.

Effect of Royal Jelly on behavioural patterns, feather quality, egg quality and some haematological parameters in laying hens at the late stage of production

“…The calculated index of egg shape was estimated as described by Das, Biswas, Neema, and Maity (). The thickness of the eggshell (mm) was measured by a fine digital device once the shells were dried, taken as the mean of measures from the equator point and both ends (El‐Tarabany, ). After the gentle breaking of an egg, the contents were decanted onto a flat glass surface; the measurements of the internal quality were recorded.…”

Japanese quail classified by their permanence in proximity to a high or low density of conspecifics: a search for underpinning variables

“…However, a mismatch between the individual social characteristic and the imposed social rearing environment could have also occurred affecting in a greater manner the LD birds. If because of the social preferences the LD birds were sensitive to the used stocking density; then, the social environment during rearing could also have been perceived as more stressful for LD than for HD birds ( El-Tarabany, 2016 ). Two important pieces of information should be considered in this regard: (1) a repetitive exposure to low intensity stressors can lead to an habituation to that particular stressor but also to a sensitization to other types of stressors ( Ladewig, 2000 ; Grissom and Bhatnagar, 2009 ) and (2) a chronic exposure to a stressor has been shown to affect other birds' challenging responses ( Altan et al., 2003 ; Yalcin et al., 2003 ; Cockrem, 2007 ).…”

Effects of stocking density on ovarian development and maturation during the rearing period in Shan-ma ducks

“…A high stocking density is often selected to achieve high production efficiency. However, high stocking densities affect health status, immunity, and oxidation resistance, particularly influencing the reproductive development and laying performance of the ducks ( El-Tarabany, 2016 ; Weimer et al, 2019 ).…”