Productive performance, thermal and blood parameters of Japanese laying quails at different cage stocking densities

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different stocking densities on the performance, eggshell quality, surface body temperature and hematological parameters of Japanese laying quails based on physiological indicators of animal welfare. Two hundred and thirty seven-week-old Japanese quails were used in this experiment. The quails were completely randomized to four stocking densities: 112.2 (T1), 102 (T2), 93.5 (T3), and 86.31 (T4) cm²/quail and five replicates each. Hematological parameters were analyzed as a 4x4 factorial design (stocking density X time) over four periods of blood sampling (25, 50, 75, and 100 days). To obtain the body surface temperature (Ts, °C) three thermograms (head, core and shin) were captured from each repetition per plot (2 repetitions per experimental plot) every 25 days (25, 50, 75, and 100 days). Feed intake, feed conversion per egg mass, feed conversion per dozen eggs, egg mass, egg production rate, and eggshell quality-related variables were not affected by treatments. However, egg weight (p = 0.023) and core temperature (p = 0.003) were influenced by different cage stocking densities. The heterophil/lymphocyte ratio increased (p = 0.01) with increasing time and stocking density. The mean corpuscular volume (p = 0.0001) as well as the total leukocyte count (p = 0.001) increased until the third blood sampling period (75 days) and then decreased in the last period. Different stocking densities do not interfere with the performance and eggshell quality of Japanese quails. However, the hematological parameters and head temperature are affected by different cage stocking densities and time.

Effect of Cage Stocking Density and Dietary Nutrient Density on Productive Performance, Egg Quality and Blood Parameters of Japanese Quail

“…In a later study, El-Tarabany (2016) found that laying quails kept at 200 cm 2 /bird exhibited significantly better means of interior traits of egg quality than those of quails kept at higher cage SD (167 or 143 cm 2 /bird). Our results, however, are in line with those reported by Bourdon et al (2021) they evaluated the effects of four cage SD (112.2, 102.0, 93.5 and 86.3 cm 2 /bird) on egg quality parameters of laying Japanese quails and found that eggshell quality criteria were not affected by different cage SD applied. However, Ratriyanto et al (2020) found significant reduction in ST with increasing cage SD from 40 to 50 quails/ m 2 .…”

“…El-Tarabany et al (2015) reported that increasing the SD for Japanese quails from 200 to 143 cm 2 per bird depressed their exterior and interior parameters of egg quality. However, Bourdon et al (2021) observed that productive performance and eggshell quality traits of laying quails were not affected by different stocking densities in cages (112.2, 102.0, 93.5 and 86.3 cm 2 /bird).…”

“…In a later study, Ratriyanto et al (2020) recommended that the best SD for Japanese quails is 45 birds per m 2 (222.2 cm 2 /bird), combined with ascorbic acid supplementation (250 mg/kg), when reared in a hot climate. Recently, Bourdon et al (2021) evaluated the effects of four SD for laying Japanese quails and found that different SD did not affect performance and eggshell quality of laying quails, and suggested that the best SD is 102 cm 2 /quail. Also, Aro et al (2021) evaluated the effects of four stocking densities on the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails and stated that Japanese quails kept at 173.43 or 132.10 cm 2 /bird performed well as did those kept at the standard SD (252.20 cm2/quail bird) and hence could still be adopted in quail farming without compromising their welfare and performance.…”

Yeast cell wall in the diet of Japanese quails in the laying phase at different stocking densities

“…At present, the cage system is the most commonly used housing system for quail, as it facilitates overall management, reduces labor costs, and allows for increased breeding and production density per area. The use of quail housing density has been studied for reducing egg production costs and maximizing the occupancy of sheds (10,11).…”

Parede celular de levedura em dieta para codornas japonesas na fase de postura em diferentes densidades de criação

“…A bateria de gaiolas é o sistema de alojamento mais utilizado para codornas atualmente por facilitar os manejos de uma forma geral, reduzir custos com mão-de-obra e permitir maior densidade de criação e produção por área. A densidade de alojamento de codornas tem sido estudada visando a redução dos custos de produção de ovos e a maximização de ocupação do galpão (10,11) .…”