A study was conducted in order to estimate the sodium requirements of Japanese laying quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). In this study, we used 280 Japanese quails at 128 days of age, with an average weight of 9 ± 5.2 g, and an egg production rate of 82.3 ± 0.94%. An experimental design methodology was employed, completely randomized with five treatments and seven replications. Each replicate consisted of eight quails, with a total of thirty-five experimental units. The experimental diets were based on corn and soybean meal, and contained five different levels of sodium (0.08%, 0.12%, 0.16%, 0.20% and 0.24%). The diets were isocaloric and contained equal concentrations of amino acids, with an electrolyte balance of 250 mEq/kg. The parameters we evaluated were feed intake (g/quail/day); egg production per quail per day (%); egg weight (g); egg mass (g/quail/day); and feed conversion by egg mass (kg/kg) and per dozen eggs (kg/dz). In addition, we evaluated the composition of the eggs in terms of the absolute (g) and relative (%) mass of the yolk, albumen and eggshell. We also measured the body weight variation (g) and viability (%) of the quails. There were no significant effects (p>0.05) on the described parameters. No nutritional disorders occurred related to the level of inclusion of sodium in the diets. The inclusion of 0.08% sodium in the diet of laying Japanese quails was satisfactory to maintain egg production and quality without losses in feed intake or feed conversion.

Pa la vr as-cha ve Coturnix coturnix japonica, comportamento, estresse, Pimpinella anisum, qualidade dos ovos Abst ract The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of Pimpinella anisum (fennel) on the performance, stress, and quality of Japanese Quail eggs in the second laying cycle (73 to 77 weeks). One hundred sixty-eight female quails from Japanese sub-species (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at 73 weeks of age, divided and submitted to four treatments (0; 250; 500 and 750mg of fennel/kg of feed) were used in a randomized block design. (RBD), with seven replications and six birds per experimental plot, totaling 28 plots. Performance, behavioral, and egg quality parameters were evaluated. Bird performance was not influenced (p>0.05) by the treatments tested. The highest egg weight and albumen weight were found in birds fed 750 mg of fennel, while a higher albumen height was observed for the estimated dose of 669 mg (p<0,05). The estimated doses of 554.09 mg, 634.10 mg, and 613.10 mg of fennel were efficient in reducing agitated behaviors by riding, pecking, and stirring, respectively. However, non-aggressive variables were not influenced by the addition of fennel to the diet (p>0.05). The tonic immobility test had a decreasing linear effect (p<0.05), which indicates a lower time in seconds in tonic immobility to birds receiving 750 mg of fennel. Fennel added to the diet did not interfere with performance, but it influenced essential parameters related to egg quality and was able to alter characteristics related to bird behavior.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chamomile, lemon balm, and valerian on stress modulation, evaluating the behavior and tonic immobility of laying Japanese quail. The experimental design was completely randomized with four diets and six replications containing four laying quails (Coturnix japonica) per experimental unit, totaling 96 birds. The herbal medicines studied were control treatment; 500 mg of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.); 500 mg of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.); 500 mg of valerian per kg feed (Valeriana officinalis L.). There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) on the frequency of bird behaviors. However, tonic immobility showed a difference (p > 0.05) between treatments. The use of chamomile, lemon balm, and valerian herbs (500 mg/kg feed) did not influence the behavior of laying Japanese quails, however, they were able to decrease the tonic immobility time of the birds, with chamomile being the herb that exercised greater effect.

No abstract

The objective was to determine the values of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) of roasted and in natura amaranth grains. A breeding stock of 108 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with an initial age of 29 days was used. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replications, with six quails per experimental unit. The treatments used were reference diet, reference diet + 30% in natura amaranth and reference diet + 30% roasted amaranth. The variables evaluated were feed intake, body weight variation, retained nitrogen, retained crude protein, dry matter digestibility and crude protein. Higher values of AME and AMEn were verified for the roasted amaranth grains, in relation to the in natura grains. There was no verification regarding the influence of amaranth grains, both roasted and in natura, for the variables feed intake, body weight variation, retained nitrogen, retained crude protein, dry matter and crude protein digestibility. It was concluded that the in natura amaranth grains provided 3888 kcal/ kg of AME and 3352 kcal/kg of AMEn, while the roasted amaranth grains provided 4044 kcal/kg of AME and 4028 kcal/kg of AMEn.

No abstract

No abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the ideal digestible arginine: lysine ratio in the diet of laying Japanese quails reared in hot climate, on the variables of productive performance and egg quality. Completely randomized experimental design was adopted with five diets and six replications containing eight laying quails (Coturnix japonica) per experimental unit, totaling 240 birds with an average weight of 169.6±0.005 g and 40 weeks of age with an initial egg production of 79.18±3.32%. The digestible arginine: lysine ratios were 110%, 120%, 130%, 140% and 150%. The arginine: lysine ratios analyzed were not able to influence feed intake, egg production, commercial eggs, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion per egg mass (FCEM) and per dozen eggs (FCDZ); however, there was a quadratic effect for the variation in body weight. There was no significant difference for egg quality characteristics. The 110% digestible arginine: lysine ratio in the diet of laying Japanese quails reared in a hot climate is sufficient to maintain the productive performance and the egg quality.