Forced-Molting methods and their effects on the performance and egg quality of japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) in the second laying cycle

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the experimental poultry house of the Research and Development Unit of Brotas of Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios do Centro-Oeste, SP, Brazil. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of Japanese quails submitted to forced molting aiming at optimizing the use of the same quail flock by promoting a second laying cycle. A total number of 400 67-day-old Japanese quails in lay, previously submitted to 14 days of forced molting, was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments (T1= not submitted to forced molting, T2= 03 days of fasting + fed ad libitum, T3= 01 days of fasting + 13 days of feed restriction, T4= 02 days of fasting + 12 days of feed restriction, and T5= 03 days of fasting + 11 days of feed restriction. Feeds were contained equal nutrient levels, and were formulated according to NRC (1994) recommendations. There were significant differences among the studied treatments. Although the treatment of 3 days of fasting followed by ad libitum feeding resulted in lower egg weight, it promoted better lay percentage, egg mass, and feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). On the other hand, 3 days of fasting followed by restricted feeding resulted in higher feed intake and worse feed conversion ratios (FCR/dz and FCR/kg). When birds were not submitted to forced molting, they presented lower lay percentage and egg mass

Eggshell quality and calcium utilization in feed of hens in repeated laying cycles

“…In the experiment of these authors shell weight, shell percentage and shell thickness were positively correlated with each other, whereas egg weight was negatively correlated with shell percentage. Faitarone et al (2008) reported that the eggs *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001; r = correlation coefficient from an experimental group in which hens were two days under fasting and restricted feeding had the higher eggshell percentage as compared to an experimental group in which hens were three days under fasting and consequently ad libitum feeding and to a group with one day of fasting and restricted feeding as well. Bell (2003) indicated that the most substantial differences in performance between laying cycles are caused by the egg weight.…”

“…On the contrary, in the experiments of Koch et al (2005) or Mushtaq-Ul-Hassan et al (2001) significantly different shell thickness was observed compared with the control group. Alike Faitarone et al (2008) reported specific gravity, eggshell thickness and eggshell percentage significantly influenced by moulting. In experimental groups in which hens were under the short-term fasting with subsequent restricted feeding an increase in eggshell thickness was found compared to an experimental group with applied fasting and subsequent ad libitum feeding, in which hens produced thinner eggshells due to the high egg production of the hens in this treatment.…”

Bacteriological investigation of microorganisms (Salmonella sp. and other Enterobacteriaceae) in common quails (Coturnix coturnix) submitted to different forced-molting procedures

“…Forced molting is still not commonly applied in quail egg production (Garcia et al, 2001), although a few published studies have reported its effects on production and physiological aspects (Zamprônio et al, 1996;Garcia et al, 2002.;Teixeira et al, 2007;Mesquita Filho, 2008;Faitarone et al, 2008). Scientific data on the effects of forced molting on quail health are lacking.…”

Effects of different force moulting methods on performance, egg quality and plasma metabolites in Japanese quails

“…Forced moulting of Japanese quails was also studied by Faitarone et al (2008), who found that although the 3-day fasting followed by ad libitum feeding resulted in lower egg weight, it promoted better lay percentage, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio.…”