Production performance and egg quality of quails (Coturnix japonica) during several periods of the day

Abstract

Three experiments were carried out to analyze the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails throughout the day when submitted to different lighting programs. In each experiment, birds were submitted to a period of 28 days for adaptation to the lighting program. During the following three days, each day -from 7 am to 7 pm or 9 pm -was divided into six or seven periods of two hours each, and the remaining hours corresponded to another single period. All birds were submitted to the same management practices, and received water and feed ad libitum. The experimental diet was formulated according to NRC (1994) standards. It was observed lower feed intake in the period of 9 pm to 7 am, and a higher incidence of lay from 3 pm to 7 pm, as opposite to hens, which peak of egg laying occurs during the morning. Some controversial results were found among experiments as to eggshell quality during the different periods of the day. Variation on the lighting program had little influence on the other performance and egg quality parameters.

A review on present status, problems and prospects of quail farming in Bangladesh

“…Quail tend to be quite sensitive to daylight length. To get desired egg production from adult quail lighting system must be provided (Pizzolante et al, 2006). In another report, Gilders leeve et al, (1976) stated the lighting hours requirement depending on age of the quail (Table 2).…”

Egg Quality Traits in Wg, Gg and Gl Japanese Quail Populations

“…established a relative share of shell + membranes of 9.128±0.022% and 9.200 ±0.036% in two Japanese quail population. Again, lower values of the trait in quail eggs were affirmed by Pizzolante et al(18) and Alaşahan et al(15).…”

“…Our data in the three groups are comparable to results from similar research studies (10,13,14). In some studies higher albumen percentage in quail eggs were affirmed (18,19). Taha (20) reported significantly lower albumen and yolk shares vs the total egg; from 51.62±0.71% and 55.29±2.12% depending on the eggshell colour.…”