Stocking Density Effects on Performance and Physiological Changes of Laying Japanese Quail

Abstract

The current study was conducted to examine the effects of different cage stocking densities and sex on performance and physiological changes of laying Japanese quail reared under hot climate region for a period of 11 weeks (10 to 21 weeks of age). A total number of 600 Japanese quails (400 females and 200 males) at 10 weeks old were randomly distributed in a randomized block design with 4 treatments (71, 59, 50 and 43 quail per cage) or (140, 170, 200 and 233 cm 2 / bird) respectively. Each treatment group was represented by 3 replicates. During the experimental period all birds received 16 hrs of light and 8 hrs of dark. Results indicated that quails kept at low stocking density (233cm 2 / bird) recorded significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher live body weight, egg production, egg mass, feed intake, protein and energy intakes compared with quails kept at other stocking densities. Further, egg weight was not significantly affected by the experimental treatments. However, feed conversion ratio and mortality rate were progressively reduced (P≤ 0.05) with decreasing stocking density. There were significant reductions in plasma total protein fractions by lowering stocking density. Whereas, a significant increase in total lipids, cholesterol, ALT, plasma total calcium and phosphorous with increasing stocking density. While, insignificant differences were observed for HDL, LDL and AST. The results clearly indicated that decreasing stocking density was significantly (P≤ 0.05) decreased corticosterone level. While, IGg increased significantly (P≤ 0.05) due to decreasing stocking density, thus leading to increased susceptibility to resistance of infections. Other physiological traits (i.e., respiration rate, cloacal temperature, skin temperature and heart pulse rate) recorded higher values for quails kept at high stocking density (140cm 2 / bird) compared with those stocked at low stocking densities. On the other hands, sex had no effect on these traits. Traits of egg quality showed insignificant differences for the most, except for yolk index, shell thickness, yolk color and eggs with blood or meat spots. Also, insignificant differences were observed for all carcass characteristics except for live body weight, blood weight and carcass weight percentages. In conclusion based on the obtained results it could be concluded that egg production percentage, egg mass and immunological response improved as the cage space per quail increased. Therefore, it can be recommended that in order to minimize physiological stress in the cages of laying Japanese quail should raised at a density of 233 cm 2 /bird to exhibited superior performance and lowering mortality rate.

Effects of Stocking Density on the Performance Characteristics, Egg Quality, and Nutrient Composition of the Eggs of Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

“…Hen-Day Production decreased correspondingly with an increase in stocking density and was better in Group I and II when compared with Groups III and IV. Hen-Housed production followed a similar trend as observed in hen-day production while egg production per hen decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as stocking density increased which agrees with other authors' observations in quail farming experiments (Nagarajan et al, 1991;Sohail et al, 2001;Özbey et al, 2004;El-Shafei et al, 2012).…”

Does Dietary Yeast Extract Improve the Performance and Health of Quail Breeders Reared under High Stocking Density?

“…Our results agree with the previous researches (Daniela et al, 2018;EL-Sheikh et al, 2016;El-Shafei et al, 2012) who indicated that feed consumption for Japanese quail significantly decreased with increasing cage density. Likewise, the effect of YE on feed consumption agree with Liu et al (2002) who found reduction feed consumption in quails at 0.2 % yeast.…”

“…The effect of stocking density on FCR values in the present study are in agreement with those of EL-Sheikh et al (2016) who reported that FCR values were significantly poorer with increasing the number of quails/square meter throughout the production period. On the other hand, Santos et al (2011);EL-Shafei et al (2012) observed FCR/kg of egg produced was better (P<0.05) for quail layers raised under higher floor space. Moreover, Faitarone et al (2005) stated that, FCR values of quails were not significantly affected among treatment when stocked at 246, 211, 176 and 151 cm 2 /quail.…”

Nutrient digestibility, performance, and egg quality traits of quails raised in different stocking densities and ascorbic acid supplementation in a hot, tropical environment

“…Several studies have addressed the SD's effect on performance in laying hens, although few studies have focused on laying quails, and the results are variable [2,16,18]. Moreover, there is a scarcity of information on the effects of SD and AA supplementation by emphasizing the nutrient digestibility, performance, and egg quality of quails raised in high-temperature environments.…”

“…AA is also required for mineral and amino acid metabolism, as well as the production of white blood cells required for birds' immune status [9]. The positive effects of AA supplementation have been documented in breeder or laying hens [12,14,15] and quails [16,17], although those effects indicated variable results.…”