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This study evaluated the zootechnical performance of 192 laying quails, receiving diets with different levels of crude protein (18 and 19%) and metabolizable energy (2,500, 2,600, 2,700 and 2,800 kcal/kg), in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement. The experiment consists of four experimental periods of 28 days each, where feed intake (g/bird), feed conversion (by dozens of eggs and egg mass), laying rate, weight and mass of eggs and indices of egg quality (yolk, shell and albumen content, shell thickness, Haugh unit). Results indicated that reducing feed energy levels to 2,500 and 2,600 kcal/kg increased feed intake (P < 0.05). However, reducing protein levels to 18% did not change (P > 0.05) feed intake. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in laying rate, feed conversion per dozen eggs and egg mass, and egg quality indices, in relation to energy or protein levels. There were no interactions between dietary energy and protein levels. In conclusion, the reduction of metabolizable energy levels to 2,500 kcal/kg and crude protein to 18% in diets for laying quails, from 52 to 68 weeks of age, is a viable alternative to reduce production costs, without harming performance and egg quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The objective of the present study was to evaluate a blend of functional oils (FO) composed of copaiba and garlic essential oils, pepper oleoresin and cashew nut liquid to mitigate the effects of heat stress on productivity, egg quality, organ morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, serum biochemical profile, nutrient metabolism and body temperature of Japanese quail. A completely randomized design was used in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (without additive; 300 and 500 mg FO/kg of feed x birds raised in a thermal comfort (TC) and heat stress (HS) environment), with 6 replicates of 8 birds per plot. The birds under HS had lower feed intake (P = 0.0000), egg mass (P = 0.0000), laying rate (P = 0.0000) and higher percentage of infertile non-commercial eggs (P = 0.0004), lower head temperature amplitude (P = 0.0000) and higher average of body temperature (P = 0.0312). HS worsened the external and internal quality of the eggs. Birds kept in HS showed higher values of cholesterol (P = 0.0000) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (P = 0.0272). The use of 300 and 500 g FO/ton of feed improved the feed conversion (P = 0.0000) and egg mass (P = 0.0000) of the quail bred under HS, respectively, by 8.4 and 7.2% and increased the relative weight of liver (P = 0.0064) and pancreas (P = 0.0492). The use of such additives also provided a higher % of yolk (P = 0.0018) and reduced the percentage of albumen (P = 0.0029) of the eggs produced in TC, in addition to reducing the amplitude of head temperature (P = 0.0484) of birds bred under HS. The breeding of Japanese quail under HS results in negative impacts on the production, physiological and qualitative aspects of the eggs. The use of 300 g/ton of FO in the diet of Japanese quail leads to improvements in feed conversion, increased liver capacity in nutritional metabolism and results in eggs with a higher proportion of yolks, being, therefore, an alternative for feeding quail in a hot climate.

Aim of study: To investigate the effects of diets containing different amounts of chasteberry seeds (Vitex agnus- castus L.) on the growing performance, slaughter characteristics, breast meat quality characteristics and stress parameters of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Area of study: Çakmar, Aydın, Türkiye. Material and methods: A total of 240 one-day-old mixed-sex Japanese quail chicks (9.38 ± 0.02 g) were divided into three treatments with four replicates of 20 birds each in a completely randomized design. The groups were fed a control diet without chasteberry seeds (CS0), a diet containing 25 g/kg chasteberry seeds (CS25), and a diet containing 50 g/kg chasteberry seeds (CS50). The experiment lasted 35 days. Main results: Body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake of the CS50 group were found to be lower than the other groups on days 0-35 (p0.05). Except for breast meat water holding capacity, lightness, redness, and hue angle characteristics in females, the effects of diets containing different chasteberry seeds on the meat quality characteristics of male and female quails were not significant (p>0.05). CS25 and CS50 diets caused a statistically significant increase (p

Abstract The study evaluated the use of nano copper in semi-purified diets for laying quails and its effect on performance, metabolic state, and bioavailability. A total of 160 (180-days-old) quails were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 3x3+1 factorial. The copper sources used were copper sulfate, copper oxide, and nano copper oxide, at levels of 200, 400, and 800 ppm each, totaling nine treatments plus a negative control (with no copper inclusion). The following variables were determined: weight gain, feed intake, egg production, egg weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit, Cu in the tissues and Cu bioavailability. Data were subjected to analysis of variance at 5% probability. The effect of sources and levels, as well as the interaction between the factors were evaluated. When interaction was observed, the effect of sources was evaluated separately by the Tukey’s test and the effect of levels by regression, both at 5% probability. Copper nano oxide can be used at up to 800 ppm in the diet of laying quails without altering the productive performance, and with higher bioavailability than conventional copper oxide. Hemoglobin increases with the inclusion of 200 and 400 ppm of nano copper oxide and the hematocrit with 400 ppm.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the zootechnical performance of 192 laying quails, receiving diets with different levels of crude protein (18 and 19%) and metabolizable energy (2,500, 2,600, 2,700 and 2,800 kcal/kg), in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement. The experiment consists of four experimental periods of 28 days each, where feed intake (g/bird), feed conversion (by dozens of eggs and egg mass), laying rate, weight and mass of eggs and indices of egg quality (yolk, shell and albumen content, shell thickness, Haugh unit). Results indicated that reducing feed energy levels to 2,500 and 2,600 kcal/kg increased feed intake (P < 0.05). However, reducing protein levels to 18% did not change (P > 0.05) feed intake. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed in laying rate, feed conversion per dozen eggs and egg mass, and egg quality indices, in relation to energy or protein levels. There were no interactions between dietary energy and protein levels. In conclusion, the reduction of metabolizable energy levels to 2,500 kcal/kg and crude protein to 18% in diets for laying quails, from 52 to 68 weeks of age, is a viable alternative to reduce production costs, without harming performance and egg quality.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of different fasting times before transport to the slaughterhouse on blood parameters, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Japanese quails. In total, 300 Japanese quails were used, with an average age of 14 months (discard age) and an initial body weight of 185.3 ± 7.3 g. The quails were distributed in a completely randomised design with six treatments and five replications of 10 birds each. The treatments consisted of different fasting periods on the farm: zero (control), 1 hour and 30 minutes, 3 hours, 4 hours and 30 minutes, 5 hours and 30 minutes and 7 hours. The quails showed higher blood glucose concentrations with increasing fasting time, but there was no increase in total proteins, albumin, lactate, creatine kinase, uric acid, globulin and the albumin/globulin ratio. The weight and yield of the hot carcass and the weight of the cold carcass decreased with increasing fasting time. Quails that fasted for 7 hours had lower hot carcass and cold carcass weights compared to quails that did not fast. There was no influence of fasting time on meat quality. A fasting period of 5 hours and 30 minutes before transportation is recommended to ensure proper emptying of the digestive tract and the maintenance of the carcass weight of Japanese quails.

Calcium, obtained from various sources, is essential to fulfil the dietary requirements of birds. Oyster shells are excellent sources of calcium and are widely used in bird diets. Calcium is a critical factor in eggshell deterioration, affecting its absorption. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the combined effects of powdered oyster shell and lemongrass on the growth, development, and egg quality of birds, specifically using 5, 10, and 15 grams of oyster shell powder as a calcium source. A completely randomised design was used to assess the efficacy of varying amounts of powdered oyster shell. Results revealed that there was no significant change in growth development at different inclusion levels of oyster shell powder and lemongrass solution. However, egg quality exhibited a significant variance at different inclusion levels of oyster shell powder. Similarly, lemongrass solution as a supplement for laying quails demonstrated a significant difference. Therefore, supplementing the calcium source with a blend of 15 g of oyster shell powder and 300 ml lemongrass solution enhanced egg performance and eggshell quality of laying quail by 5%.

We analyzed the problems of genotype-environment interaction at three Coturnix Coturnix Japonica varieties. The environment where the experiment took place is perfect identically for all the activities, to ensure that the observed differences at the followed traits to be strictly attributed to the genotype differences. We analyzed the body weight, eggs weight, eggs large and small diameter, yolk and egg white weight, egg-shell weight. The data were statistically interpreted using the average and dispersal indices estimation, and the significance testing using Student test.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate a blend of functional oils (FO) composed of copaiba and garlic essential oils, pepper oleoresin and cashew nut liquid to mitigate the effects of heat stress on productivity, egg quality, organ morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, serum biochemical profile, nutrient metabolism and body temperature of Japanese quail. A completely randomized design was used in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (without additive; 300 and 500 mg FO/kg of feed x birds raised in a thermal comfort (TC) and heat stress (HS) environment), with 6 replicates of 8 birds per plot. The birds under HS had lower feed intake (P = 0.0000), egg mass (P = 0.0000), laying rate (P = 0.0000) and higher percentage of infertile non-commercial eggs (P = 0.0004), lower head temperature amplitude (P = 0.0000) and higher average of body temperature (P = 0.0312). HS worsened the external and internal quality of the eggs. Birds kept in HS showed higher values of cholesterol (P = 0.0000) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (P = 0.0272). The use of 300 and 500 g FO/ton of feed improved the feed conversion (P = 0.0000) and egg mass (P = 0.0000) of the quail bred under HS, respectively, by 8.4 and 7.2% and increased the relative weight of liver (P = 0.0064) and pancreas (P = 0.0492). The use of such additives also provided a higher % of yolk (P = 0.0018) and reduced the percentage of albumen (P = 0.0029) of the eggs produced in TC, in addition to reducing the amplitude of head temperature (P = 0.0484) of birds bred under HS. The breeding of Japanese quail under HS results in negative impacts on the production, physiological and qualitative aspects of the eggs. The use of 300 g/ton of FO in the diet of Japanese quail leads to improvements in feed conversion, increased liver capacity in nutritional metabolism and results in eggs with a higher proportion of yolks, being, therefore, an alternative for feeding quail in a hot climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the ideal arginine intake for egg production in Japanese quail using the dilution technique. A completely random design was used, with 8 treatments (seven concentrations of arginine plus a control diet) and ten replicates, totaling 80 Japanese quails. The digestible arginine levels included in the study were 0.361%, 0.603%, 0.843%, 1.084%, 1.204%, 1.311%, and 1.460%. The variables analyzed were feed intake, egg production (EP), egg weight, egg output (EO), feed conversion ratio, and body weight were performed using a mixed model. When the effect of arginine levels (P ≤ 0.05) was detected, the model's broken line linear-plateau (BL), quadratic-plateau (BLq), and the first intercept of the BLq in the plateau of BL were adjusted to determine the ideal arginine intake. It observed that the arginine levels modified the quail responses (P < 0.001). Egg production was 10% with the 0.361% arginine in diet and recovered (97%) with the 1.311% arginine diet. The BL and BLq models estimated 232 mg/quail per day and 351 mg/quail per day for EO, respectively. The first intercept obtained was 290 mg/quail per day or 1,411%, which was considered the optimum level arginine intake for EO in Japanese quail.

Regarding the lack of standardized methods for beak trimming to reduce feather pecking in Japanese quail, the present study aimed to compare two ages and 3 methods of beak trimming, evaluating the performance, egg quality and feather pecking. One-day-old Japanese quails (n = 770; 22 birds cage-1), at the initial phase, and 36-day-old (n = 630; 18 birds cage-1), at the production phase, were assigned to a completely randomized design, consisting of 7 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatments were: nontrimmed (NT), cauterization of approximately 1/3 at 14 days-of-age (CAUT 14) and at 28 days-of-age (CAUT 28), moderately trimmed to approximately 1/3 beak at 14 days-of-age (MOD 14) and at 28 days-of-age (MOD 28), severely trimmed to 1/3-1/2 beak at 14 days-of-age (SEV 14) and at 28 days-of-age (SEV 28). Data were analyzed using Minitab®. The results indicated that beak trimming methods applied did not influence the performance and egg quality. Quails subjected to MOD 28 and SEV (14 and 28) presented lower feed conversion per egg mass compared to NT. However, MOD 14 and SEV were more efficient in preventing feather pecking behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding the lack of standardized methods for beak trimming to reduce feather pecking in Japanese quail, the present study aimed to compare two ages and 3 methods of beak trimming, evaluating the performance, egg quality and feather pecking. One-day-old Japanese quails (n = 770; 22 birds cage-1), at the initial phase, and 36-day-old (n = 630; 18 birds cage-1), at the production phase, were assigned to a completely randomized design, consisting of 7 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatments were: non-trimmed (NT), cauterization of approximately 1/3 at 14 days-of-age (CAUT 14) and at 28 days-of-age (CAUT 28), moderately trimmed to approximately 1/3 beak at 14 days-of-age (MOD 14) and at 28 days-of-age (MOD 28), severely trimmed to 1/3-1/2 beak at 14 days-of-age (SEV 14) and at 28 days-of-age (SEV 28). Data were analyzed using Minitab®. The results indicated that beak trimming methods applied did not influence the performance and egg quality. Quails subjected to MOD 28 and SEV (14 and 28) presented lower feed conversion per egg mass compared to NT. However, MOD 14 and SEV were more efficient in preventing feather pecking behavior.

Coturniculture has been promising, progressing from a subsistence to a technical activity due to its quick production, low breeding investment, and rapid economic return. After the restriction of antimicrobials as growth promoters, some studies aimed to evaluate alternative products that would make the farming of healthy birds viable without impacting their performance, with commercial Macleaya cordata extract being one of these substitutes. The functions of the gastrointestinal tract are coordinated mainly by the enteric nervous system, and the myenteric plexus is responsible for the reflex control of contractile activities of the external muscles. Thus, this study located and demonstrated the distribution of the myenteric plexus, quantifing the total population of myenteric neurons (Giemsa+) and the subpopulation of myenteric nitrergic neurons (NADPH-d+), and evaluated the effects of commercial Macleaya cordata extract on these populations of quail jejunum neurons. A total of 240 one-day-old female laying quails were distributed into four treatments, with four repetitions of 15 birds each. The test groups (T1, T2, and T3) were treated with commercial Macleaya cordata extract throughout the experimental period using the following doses: T1 - test group, basal diet added with 150 ppm of the extract in the feed; T2-test group, basal diet added with100 ppm of the extract in the feed; T3 - test group, basal diet added with 50 ppm of the extract in the feed; and T4 - control group, basal diet with no added extract. The study included histological analysis, Giemsa+, and NADPH-d+ myenteric neuron staining. The results showed that the myenteric plexus is located between longitudinal layer fibers and in the transition region between the longitudinal and circular layers of the muscular tunic, with the myenteric population organized into ganglia and isolated in the region of neuronal fiber bundles. The commercial Macleaya cordata extract showed no quantitative changes in the myenteric Giemsa+ population and myenteric NADPH-d+ subpopulation, however, the groups that consumed the extract showed greater NADPH-d+ neuron activity compared to the control group, implying that the food remained longer in the intestinal lumen, therefore, enabling greater nutrient use and resulting in increased productive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of added to mixture essential oil consist of mint oil, juniper oil, rosemary oil and oregano vulgare oil added in drinking water at on intestinal health in quail breeders. A total of 160 Japanese quail breeders (control group each subgroup 6 females 6 males, experimental groups each subgroup 5 females 5 males) 17 weeks of age were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups and each group was divided into 5 replicates. The experimental period lasted 56 days. Maize and soybean meal-based diets were offered ad libitium to the birds from during the experimental period. Treatments were as follows: C, (Control; without supplementation to the drinking water); E1 (0,1ml/L essential oil mixture supplementation to the drinking water) and E2 (0,3ml/L essential oil mixture supplementation to the drinking water. Acetic acid, butyric acid, isocaproic acid and SCFA values were linearly affected by the increasing level of essential oil mixture (mint oil, juniper oil, rosemary oil and oregano vulgare oil). There were no significant differences in propionic acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, caproic acid and BCFA concentrations. In conclusion, essential oil mixture consists of mint oil, juniper oil, rosemary oil and oregano vulgare oil can be used to improve intestinal health in quail breeders drinking water.

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 (p0.05). The tonic immobility test had a decreasing linear effect (p

Background: Kaolin may improve quail performance by maintaining intestinal integrity and improving nutrient absorption. Objective: To evaluate the overall performance, egg quality, moisture, nitrogen and calcium content in the excreta, intestinal morphology and financial analysis of kaolin in Japanese quail feed during the production phase. Methods: A total of 192 Japanese quails, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six repetitions with eight birds each, were used. Kaolin levels added to the diet were 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5%. Results: Kaolin reduced feed consumption. Additionally, egg production, feed conversion and viability increased. Moisture, nitrogen and calcium in the excreta decreased. Height and width of the intestinal villi increased with increasing levels of kaolin in the diet. Kaolin had no effect on egg quality. Inclusion level of 1.5% kaolin allowed for greater economic gains. Conclusion: Kaolin improved performance, intestinal morphology, and reduced the moisture, nitrogen and calcium contents in the excreta. Egg quality remained unchanged with the addition of kaolin, and the best economic response resulted with the addition 1.5% kaolin.

Quail is one of the potential sources of animal protein from poultry as egg producers. An egg contains complete nutrients, namely protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. As food, eggs must be maintained both physically and chemically to be safe for consumption. This study aimeds to examine the effect of selective feeding on the quality of quail eggs. This research was carried out at Percut Sei Tuan Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, which had been implemented from August to November in 2018. The study used a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 plots. The study used egg samples from quail aged five (5) months. The treatment consists of Commercial feed (T0), 2 energy source feed (rice bran, corn) with 2 (T1), 3 (T2), 4 (T3) protein source feeds (fish meal, soybean meal, coconut meal, Poultry Meat Meal). The results showed that the treatment gave a significant effect (P0.05) among treatment. It can be concluded that the commercial feed showed higher egg weight but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the proportion of eggs and the interior quality of quail eggs, while among free choicee feeding treatment has no effect.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of bee pollen in the diet of growing Japanese quails on productive performance, relative weight of the gastrointestinal organs and length of small and large intestines. A total of 650 one-day-old female Japanese quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments according to the dietary levels of bee pollen (0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6%), five replicates, and 26 birds per experimental unit. At the end of the experimental period (35 days of age), the performance and relative weight of the gastrointestinal organs and length of small and large intestines were evaluated. The dietary inclusion of bee pollen did not influence (P > 0.05) performance, relative weight of proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas, liver, and large intestine, as well as the length of small and large intestines. However, a linear reduction (P < 0.05) was observed in the relative weight of small intestine as dietary bee pollen levels increased. The inclusion of bee pollen from 0.4 to 1.6% in the diet of growing Japanese quails did neither improve productive performance nor alter the biometry of digestive organs.

The efficient time for supplementing flaxseed oil to meat-type quail to produce n-3 fatty acid fortified meat has not been determined. This study was conducted to find out the effects of different periods of flaxseed oil supplementation in the Japanese quail diet on the subsequent growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acids profile of breast, and functional properties of the Japanese quail meat. Totally, 720 one-day-old Japanese quail were studied in a 35-day experiment using a completely randomized design. Substituting sunflower oil with flaxseed oil had no significant effect on weight gain and feed intake in Japanese quails. Supplementing flaxseed oil for the whole 35-day growth period significantly reduced abdominal fat proportion. Flaxseed oil addition to the quail diet just a week before slaughter resulted in a 4.97-fold increase in the n-3 fatty acid content of the breast muscle. Feeding flaxseed oil decreased the activity of delta-9-desaturase in quail's breast compared to sunflower oil. The greatest thrombogenic index observed in the breast meat from control while consumption of flaxseed oil significantly decreased the thrombogenic index. Supplementing flaxseed oil to quail's diet for 21 and 35 days before slaughter significantly increased breast malondialdehyde content. Feeding flaxseed oil for long periods had no significant impact on the breast meat pH while water holding capacity was decreased. The breast lightness was increased when the flaxseed oil was fed for longer periods. Generally, feeding flaxseed oil in the last week of the growth period improved the feed conversion ratio and the fatty acid profile of quail breast meat with the minimum deterioration effects on meat quality characteristics.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of age of birds on egg quality in Japanese quail. The eggs were randomly selected from among all eggs laid on the same day when the birds were 15, 23 and 31 weeks old. At each time point, 90 fresh eggs were evaluated for their physical and biochemical characteristics. Egg weights were similar over time. At 23 and 31 weeks, the eggs had less shell than at 15 weeks. Crude fat and ash contents of the eggs increased with the age of the birds. Crude protein was also highest in eggs of the oldest quail. At 31 weeks old, the eggs were lowest in pH of yolk and white. Quail that were23 and 31 weeks old laid eggs with significantly higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents. The lowest cholesterol content was in egg yolks from 23-week-old quail. The oldest birds had the highest contents of sodium, potassium, zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese. The content and activity of lysozyme decreased with ageing of the birds. From the consumers' point of view, eggs from older birds appeared to be the most valuable. At the same time, as the quail ages, the antibacterial properties of eggs deteriorate, which may indicate a shorter shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed at determining the effects of various levels of dietary olive cake meal (OCM) on certain blood parameters and breast muscle fatty acid and cholesterol levels. For this purpose, 400 day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks of both sexes were randomly assigned to four trial groups, each including five replicates of 20 animals. The quail were fed on a maize and soybean meal-based basal diet supplemented with 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% of OCM for six weeks. Dietary supplementation with 5% and 7.5% of OCM decreased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the blood serum, and increased cholesterol levels in the breast muscle. Dietary supplementation with various levels of OCM decreased saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, and increased monounsaturated fatty acid and total unsaturated fatty acid levels in the breast muscle. As a result, it was concluded that, olive cake meal, which contains a high level of olive oil, could be incorporated in poultry feed at a level of 5%, owing to its beneficial effects of decreasing serum LDL cholesterol, which plays a major role in the aetiology of cardiovascular diseases, and in reducing saturated fatty acid levels in breast muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESUMO As rações dos animais monogástricos no Brasil constituem-se de milho e farelo de soja. Dentre os entraves do uso de grãos de cereais nas dietas destaca-se a presença de polissacarídeos não amiláceos, constituintes de baixa digestibilidade, não digeridos pelas aves. Desse modo, faz-se importância estudar ingredientes não convencionais e uso de aditivos, tais como as enzimas nas rações. Objetivou-se avaliar a produtividade e o metabolismo de codornas japonesas em postura, alimentadas com rações à base de milho ou sorgo contendo ou não xilanase e β-glucanase. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x2, sendo quatro tratamentos, com cinco repetições e sete aves em cada, perfazendo 140 animais. Os tratamentos foram: 1) ração à base de farelo de soja e milho (RFSM); 2) RFSM + enzimas; 3) ração à base de farelo de soja e sorgo (RFSS); e 4) RFSS + enzimas. As variáveis avaliadas foram: desempenho zootécnico; metabolizabilidade das rações e das excretas; qualidade e processo oxidativo dos ovos; biometria de órgãos e bioquímica sérica. Não houve interação significativa entre os fatores (ingredientes x enzimas) para todas as características avaliadas. As rações não provocaram alterações nas variáveis produtivas, de metabolizabilidade, qualidade dos ovos, biometria dos órgãos do trato gastrintestinal e do fêmur de codornas japonesas em postura. A massa total de ovos apresentou-se maior nas diferentes rações com uso enzimático. As concentrações de cálcio e fosfato séricos foram mais elevadas nas RFSM e RFSM + enzimas, entretanto, as relações Ca:P mantiveram-se, indicando condição de normalidade metabólica nas codornas de 26 a 35 semanas de idade.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to detect the inclusion of animal meal in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diets, by analyzing eggs and their fractions (albumen and yolk) through the technique of carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) stable isotopes. Four hundred and thirty-two Japanese quails, 45-day-old females, were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, in eight treatments: T1, strictly vegetable diet (VEG), with corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) meal; T2, bovine meat and bone meal (BM); T3, poultry viscera meal (OM); T4, feather meal (FM); T5, BM+OM; T6, BM+FM; T7, OM+FM; and T8, BM+OM+FM. Sixteen eggs were randomly collected from each treatment - eight for whole egg analysis and eight for separate yolk and albumen analyses. To determine the turnover rate, the exponential isotope dilution model was used. The application of C and N stable isotopes allows identifying the use of animal meal in coded diets through the analysis of whole eggs and their fractions, which suggests that this technique is a promising tool for the traceability and certification of products of animal origin.

The description of the growth of the Japanese quails is necessary to characterize the genetic potential of these birds raised in different countries. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the genetic potential of Japanese quails by conducting a meta-analysis considering studies conducted in different countries. Only data about the subspecies Coturnix coturnix japonica were considered; studies regarding Coturnix coturnix coturnix were not examined. The criteria investigated were BW (W), age (t), year of publication and location of the study. Each set of genetic material within a publication was coded as one study. The Gompertz function was used to interpret the growth of laying quails; thus, each study was represented by Gompertz parameters. The W and t data were applied to estimate the values of Gompertz growth parameters, including BW at maturity (Wm), BW at birth (Wi), maturity rate (B) and inflection point (IP). The age at which the maximum growth rate was achieved (t*) was calculated considering the parameters Wm, Wi and B. To estimate these parameters, random regression was used to randomize the parameter Wm. The parameters estimated for each assay were used in exploratory, grouping, and principal component analyses. The values of Wi ranged from 4.1 to 11.6 g. The values of B ranged from 0.0393 to 0.1039/day, and consequently, the values of t* and IP ranged from 14 to 31 days and 9.21 to 31.03 g, respectively. These results show that there is considerable variability in the growth potential of Japanese quails. To better understand this variation, two groups were examined: Brazil and other countries, according to the grouping of Wi, Wm, B and t*; parameter B was the variable that presented the highest specificity, indicating that both groups modified the maturity rate. For the principal component analysis, the year of publication showed a relationship with the growth parameters but only for studies performed in Brazil. For studies carried out in other countries, the changes in growth parameters were not related to the year of publication. In Brazilian studies, there was a decrease in the maturity rate, but the weight at maturity was higher. Therefore, it appears that different strategies of genetic selection were adopted in Brazil compared to other countries.

The utility of canola meal as protein source for quails may be limited by trypsin inhibitors that interfere with protein digestion. This study was, therefore, designed to assess the effect of including a heat-stable protease mono-enzyme (75’000 PROT/g; EC/IUB no. 3.4.21) in canola meal-containing diets on physiological and meat quality traits of adult female Japanese quails. A total of 240, five-week old quails (163.9 ± 9.56 g live-weight) were distributed into 30 replicate pens, to which five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were randomly allocated. The diets were: control diet (CON; a commercial grower mash with no canola meal (CM) inclusion); control diet in which 17.5% of soybean ingredients were replaced with CM (CM0), and CM0 diet treated with 0.01%, 0.02% or 0.03% of protease (CM01, CM02 and CM03, respectively). Quails were slaughtered at 10 weeks of age. There was no week × diet interaction effect on average weekly feed intake (AWFI), average weekly weight gain (AWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE). Protease inclusion had no effect on haemo-biochemical parameters, overall growth performance, internal organs, carcass characteristics, and meat quality parameters. It was concluded that inclusion of protease does not improve the utilization of CM-containing diets in adult female Japanese quails.

The description of the growth of the Japanese quails is necessary to characterize the genetic potential of these birds raised in different countries. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the genetic potential of Japanese quails by conducting a meta-analysis considering studies conducted in different countries. Only data about the subspecies Coturnix coturnix japonica were considered; studies regarding Coturnix coturnix coturnix were not examined. The criteria investigated were BW (W), age (t), year of publication and location of the study. Each set of genetic material within a publication was coded as one study. The Gompertz function was used to interpret the growth of laying quails; thus, each study was represented by Gompertz parameters. The W and t data were applied to estimate the values of Gompertz growth parameters, including BW at maturity (Wm), BW at birth (Wi), maturity rate (B) and inflection point (IP). The age at which the maximum growth rate was achieved (t*) was calculated considering the parameters Wm, Wi and B. To estimate these parameters, random regression was used to randomize the parameter Wm. The parameters estimated for each assay were used in exploratory, grouping, and principal component analyses. The values of Wi ranged from 4.1 to 11.6 g. The values of B ranged from 0.0393 to 0.1039/day, and consequently, the values of t* and IP ranged from 14 to 31 days and 9.21 to 31.03 g, respectively. These results show that there is considerable variability in the growth potential of Japanese quails. To better understand this variation, two groups were examined: Brazil and other countries, according to the grouping of Wi, Wm, B and t*; parameter B was the variable that presented the highest specificity, indicating that both groups modified the maturity rate. For the principal component analysis, the year of publication showed a relationship with the growth parameters but only for studies performed in Brazil. For studies carried out in other countries, the changes in growth parameters were not related to the year of publication. In Brazilian studies, there was a decrease in the maturity rate, but the weight at maturity was higher. Therefore, it appears that different strategies of genetic selection were adopted in Brazil compared to other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study was conducted to determine the effects of various doses and particle sizes (micro or nano) of dietary zinc and zinc oxide on growth performance, serum enzyme activities, carcass characteristics, and zinc requirements in Japanese quails. A total of 576 day-old Japanese quails (both sexes) were housed in 36 deep litter floor pens. Birds received a basal corn–soybean meal diet that was deficient in zinc (27 mg zinc/kg) for 10 days post-hatching in order to deplete them from zinc reserves. Then, quails were randomly allocated to nine dietary treatments: a control treatment (27 mg of Zn/kg of diet), or one of four levels of Zn (25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg of diet) that were one of two ZnO particle sizes (micro or nano ZnO). Birds were fed the experimental diets from 10 to 40 days of age. Body weight and feed intake per pen were measured every 10 days and feed conversion ratio was calculated. On day 40, two males per replicate were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were measured. A quadratic increase in body weight gain (P < 0.01) and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) were found in zinc-supplemented quails between 20 to 30 d. Increasing dietary Zn levels significantly increased the relative weights of testes (P < 0.01), and thigh (P < 0.05). In this study, the optimal dietary Zn levels for body weight gain of Japanese quails were 90 mg/kg of diet for birds 10-20 days old, 70 mg/kg of diet for birds 20-30 days old, and 59 mg/kg of diet for birds 30-40 days old.

Background: Kaolin may improve quail performance by maintaining intestinal integrity and improving nutrient absorption. Objective: To evaluate the overall performance, egg quality, moisture, nitrogen and calcium content in the excreta, intestinal morphology and financial analysis of kaolin in Japanese quail feed during the production phase. Methods: A total of 192 Japanese quails, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six repetitions with eight birds each, were used. Kaolin levels added to the diet were 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5%. Results: Kaolin reduced feed consumption. Additionally, egg production, feed conversion and viability increased. Moisture, nitrogen and calcium in the excreta decreased. Height and width of the intestinal villi increased with increasing levels of kaolin in the diet. Kaolin had no effect on egg quality. Inclusion level of 1.5% kaolin allowed for greater economic gains. Conclusion: Kaolin improved performance, intestinal morphology, and reduced the moisture, nitrogen and calcium contents in the excreta. Egg quality remained unchanged with the addition of kaolin, and the best economic response resulted with the addition 1.5% kaolin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential for mitigating effects of heat stress through dietary Alchemilla vulgaris (AV) supplementation during the late laying period of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were investigated. A 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of environmental temperature (ET) regimes and levels of dietary supplementation with AV (0%, 1%, and 3%) was used in a 75-day experiment. Twenty-five quail were randomly assigned to each treatment with five replicate cages of five birds. The birds were housed in temperature-controlled rooms at 22 ± 2 °C for 24 h/day (TN) or 34 ± 2 °C between 09h00 and 17h00 followed by 22 ± 2 °C for 16 h/day (HS). The interaction of ET and supplement regimes was rarely significant. In HS quail supplemented with 1% AV, egg production was reduced and FCR was increased compared with the other treatments. Dietary AV was found to reduce egg production in TN conditions, but 3% AV supplementation in the HS group prevented decreased egg production and improved FCR. Various indicators of egg quality were significantly affected by supplementation with AV at certain times during the experiment. Most effects of HS on egg quality were manifest in the first 15 days of ET regimes. Although HS significantly decreased eggshell weight until 31-45 days, AV supplementation improved it on the 45th day and then maintained it through the end of the experiment. Thus, AV may mitigate some effects of HS by partially preventing decreased egg production and increased FCR during the late laying period of Japanese quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the combined effects of air temperature and air velocity on the behavior of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 216 Japanese quail in their initial laying phase were used. Bird behavior was categorized with an ethogram (eat, drink, stop, open wings/shiver, others). The experimental design was a randomized complete block, in a 4x4 factorial arrangement, with four air velocities (0, 1, 2, and 3 m s-1) and air temperatures (17, 23, 29, and 35°C). The behavior “stop” was greater when the birds were subjected to 17°C. At 35°C, a significant reduction (p

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes combinações de passiflora (Passiflora alata) e de camomila (Matricaria chamomila) sobre o desempenho, qualidade de ovos, comportamento e estresse de codornas durante as fases de recria e de postura. Foram utilizadas 196 aves, distribuídas em blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos (ração convencional; 125 mg de Matricaria chamomila + 375 mg de Passiflora alata/kg de ração; 250 mg de M. chamomila + 250 mg de P. alata/kg de ração; 375 mg de M. chamomila + 125 mg P. alata/kg de ração), com sete repetições e sete aves por parcela. A fase de recria iniciou-se aos 28 dias de idade das aves, durando 14 dias. Nesta fase foram avaliados consumo diário de ração, ganho diário de peso, conversão alimentar, viabilidade de criação, o tempo em imobilidade tônica (TIT), a intensidade de ferimentos e a relação entre heterófilos e linfócitos (H:L). A fase de postura teve início quando as aves atingiram 42 dias de idade, em que foram avaliados consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, produção e qualidade de ovos, viabilidade, TIT, intensidade de ferimentos e relação H:L. Na fase de recria a inclusão dos fitoterápicos às rações não alterou o desempenho, a relação H:L e as intensidades de lesões (P≥0,05), mas diminuiu o TIT quando da adição de 250 mg de cada fitoterápico (P

A 12-week study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of Leptadinea reticulate/chromium yeast combination (LRCY) on reproductive and histological parameters of male Japanese quails, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Two hundred and ten birds were used for this study, and they were allocated randomly into seven treatment groups and replicated thrice. Group 1 served as control without inclusion of extract, while groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 had 25.75 mg/kg, 51.5 mg/kg, 77.25mg/kg and 103mg/kg inclusion of LRCY and group 6 had 240mg/kg of vitamin E respectively and group 7 1.5mg/kg clomiphene citrate. At the end of the experiment, the birds were sacrificed and the cloacal gland of each bird was measured to the nearest 0.01mm. Semen from cauda epididymis was smeared on slide and the morphology of the sperm cells assessed. The weight of the testes was determined by using sensitive scale and the histology of the testes was performed to determine the stages of spermatogenesis. The internal organs such as the length of both testes, weight of heart, liver, gizzard and proventriculus were taken to determine the effect of the feed supplement on the organs. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in the cloaca gland of quail fed diets supplemented diet with 77.25mg and 103mg/kg of LRCY compared to the control. Testis weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group fed diets supplemented with LRCY compared to the control group. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the internal organs weight such as the heart liver and gizzard of male quails among all the groups including the control groups, proventriculus however was significantly (p<0.05) higher in clomiphene citrate (0.55g) supplemented diet (T7) than other groups. It can be concluded from this experiment that supplementation of the feed with LRCY at 77.25mg/kg had beneficial effect on reproductive organs of male quails without detrimental effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of prolonged use of lecithin and soybean oil on the duodenal histology and bone quality of Japanese quails in laying phase. A hundred and ninety-two birds with 54 days of age were fed for 168 days (half of their productive life) with diets containing degummed soybean oil (DSO) or acidulated soybean soapstock oil (ASS) in association or not with raw soybean lecithin (LEC), totaling eight treatments described below: T1 - diet with 4% ASS,T2 - diet with 4% ASS and 1% LEC,T3 - diet with 8% ASS,T4 - diet with 8% ASS and 1% LEC,T5 - diet with 4% DSO,T6 - diet with 4% DSO and 1% LEC,T7 - diet with 8% DSO,T8 - diet with 8% DSO and 1% LEC. At the end of the experimental period, duodenum samples were collected for morphometry of villus and crypts, and tibias were using for analysis of strength, rigidity, flexibility and total ashes. Significant double interaction between oil type and lecithin was found for crypt depth (P = 0.04). Quails fed diets containing ASS in the presence of LEC showed significantly lower crypt depth compared to birds fed with ASS only. However, when birds were fed DSO these differences due to the presence of LEC did not significant. The highest level of oil (8%) and the lecithin (1%) reduced the total ash tibia content (P <0.05). It was concluded that the association between lecithin and acidulated soybean soapstock oil was positive for the maintenance of the intestinal tissue but did not affect the bone quality of the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utility of canola meal as protein source for quails may be limited by trypsin inhibitors that interfere with protein digestion. This study was, therefore, designed to assess the effect of including a heat-stable protease mono-enzyme (75'000 PROT/g; EC/IUB no. 3.4.21) in canola meal-containing diets on physiological and meat quality traits of adult female Japanese quails. A total of 240, five-week old quails (163.9 ± 9.56 g live-weight) were distributed into 30 replicate pens, to which five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were randomly allocated. The diets were: control diet (CON; a commercial grower mash with no canola meal (CM) inclusion); control diet in which 17.5% of soybean ingredients were replaced with CM (CM0), and CM0 diet treated with 0.01%, 0.02% or 0.03% of protease (CM01, CM02 and CM03, respectively). Quails were slaughtered at 10 weeks of age. There was no week × diet interaction effect on average weekly feed intake (AWFI), average weekly weight gain (AWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE). Protease inclusion had no effect on haemo-biochemical parameters, overall growth performance, internal organs, carcass characteristics, and meat quality parameters. It was concluded that inclusion of protease does not improve the utilization of CM-containing diets in adult female Japanese quails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foram estudados parâmetros de incubação e de qualidade física de codornas japonesas neonatas oriundas de ovos submetidos a diferentes condições de armazenamento. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre temperaturas e períodos de armazenamento dos ovos férteis. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados em arranjo fatorial 2x5, temperaturas (ambiente (28±1,5ºC) e refrigerada (14ºC)) x períodos de armazenamento (um, três, seis, nove ou doze dias), totalizando 10 tratamentos com 105 repetições, sendo cada ovo uma unidade experimental. Os ovos foram incubados nas condições de 37,9ºC e 60% de umidade relativa (UR). Houve aumento de perda de peso do ovo com o período de armazenamento, com efeito linear positivo. Observou-se maior taxa de eclosão/ovos férteis para os ovos armazenados sob refrigeração. Houve efeito linear negativo para o período de armazenamento sobre a taxa de eclosão somente para os ovos armazenados em 28ºC. Para o peso da codorna neonata, houve efeito linear negativo, independentemente da temperatura de armazenamento. O comprimento do intestino delgado em temperatura ambiente sofreu influência do período de armazenamento, sendo que o período de 12 dias apresentou pior resultado. O pior escore de qualidade física foi encontrado em codornas neonatas oriundas de ovos armazenados em temperatura ambiente por 12 dias. Pode-se concluir que, para melhorar a eclosão e a qualidade física da progênie, ovos de codorna devem ser armazenados por até nove dias e em temperatura de 14ºC.

The objective of this study was to compare fattening performance, carcass traits, and egg quality of Japanese quails with different feather colors (white, dark brown, golden, and wild-type). In the study, 360 one-day-old quail chicks with 4 different feather colors were used as animal material. Quails were fed ad libitum for 42 days to determine fattening performance and carcass traits. To determine egg traits, 48 hens from each group, in a total of 192, were selected and caged according to feather color. Eggs were collected for four consecutive weeks and egg quality characteristics were measured. Different feather colors had a significant effect on live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and carcass characteristics. Significant differences between the groups were detected for egg weight, specific gravity, shape index, shell weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, albumen index, and yolk index. Japanese quails with all four feather colors can be reared depending on the choice. However, due to lower feed conversion ratio, white-feathered quails may be preferred for meat production purposes. Color variations should be considered when selecting quails.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance (from 1day to 6 week old), egg production (from 9 to 12 week of age) and egg quality in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 300, 1-day-old Japanese quail chicks were used in this trial. Average body weight and feed intake at day 42 were 162 g and 553g/ bird, respectively, which corresponds to a feed conversion ratio of 3,59. At 8 weeks old, live body weight, body lenght, wingspan and chest width showed a significant sexual dimorphism in favour of females. The age of the quail at first egg was 49 days. Egg production was 52,1% corresponding to 14,6 eggs/quail. Average egg weight was 11,5g, while hatchability and viability were 84,5% and 76,5%, respectively. In terms of external and internal egg quality, the average egg weight was 11,5g while the shape index was 78,2. Eggshell weight, albumen weight and yolk weight were 1,47; 5,81 et 3,5g, respectively, correponding to proportions of 12,8; 50,3 and 30,4%, respectively. The mean value of Haugh units (UH), indicator of egg freshness was 57,4. Quails maintained at low density (20 birds per cage) had significantly highest egg weight and egg width than those kept at density of 25 birds per cage. The opposite has been observed in terms of UH and proportions of eggshell, albumen and yolk. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) with 9 egg quality traits revealed three principal components with eigen value higher than 1. PC1, PC2 and PC3 accounted for 44,3%, 14,2% and 11,9% of total variance, respectively, which correspond to a cumulative percentage of 70,5%. The last axis (CP3) is considered as a specific factor for the eggshell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to design a classification range of the coefficients of variation (CV) of traits used in experiments with eggtype Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The journal Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia was systematically reviewed, using the key word 'quail' during the period of January, 2000 to 2010. The CV of feed intake (g/bird/d), egg production (%/bird/d), egg weight (g), egg mass (g/bird/d), feed conversion ratio per dozen eggs (g/dozen), feed conversion ratio per egg mass (g/g), and egg specific gravity (g/mL) were collected. For each parameter, CV were classified using the following median (MD) and pseudo-sigma (PS) ratio as follows: low (CV < MD - PS), medium (MD - PS < CV < MD + PS), high (MD + PS < CV < MD + 2PS) and very high (CV > MD + 2PS). According to the results, it was concluded that each parameter has a specific classification range that should be taken into account when evaluating experimental precision.

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os benefícios e o melhor nível de inclusão de parede celular de Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PCSC) na dieta sobre a morfologia intestinal de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) durante a fase de produção. 400 codornas japonesas (42 a 154 dias de idade) foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e 10 repetições com oito aves cada. Foram utilizadas cinco dietas com diferentes níveis de parede celular de S. cerevisiae (0, 0,5, 1,0; 1,5; 2,0kg t-1). A dieta foi fornecida ad libitum durante todo o período experimental. As variáveis analisadas foram: altura e largura das vilosidades, relação altura/largura das vilosidades e profundidade da cripta intestinal. Altura, largura e proporção altura/largura das vilosidades intestinais foram influenciados pela inclusão de PCSc na dieta, enquanto que a profundidade das criptas não foi influenciada pela adição de PCSc. A inclusão de parede celular de S. cerevisiae na dieta até 1,7kg t-1 trouxe alterações positivas na morfologia do epitélio intestinal de codornas japonesas (C. c. japonica) na fase de produção.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of early probiotics (single dose) administered in different ways, on quails’ performance, small intestine morphology, blood biochemistry, and immune response. In total, 192 day-old chicks were used in one of the following experimental groups before being transferred to a raising room: 1) Control (no probiotic administered), 2) oral gavage, 3) spray, and 4) vent lip. Four replicates of 12 chicks per cage were considered for each treatment and birds were raised up to 35 d in the same conditions. Probiotic treated birds had higher d 1 to 35 feed intake than the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, oral-gavaged birds had a higher body weight gain as compared to the control (P < 0.05). The values of duodenum length and villus height of the oral group and ileum length and villus height of the vent lip group were greater than that of the control (P < 0.01). Regardless of the method of administration, probiotics resulted in deeper crypts and in a higher number of goblet cells in the duodenum and ileum as compared to the control (P < 0.01). The administration of probiotics resulted in increased plasma uric acid (P < 0.05), glucose, and total protein (P < 0.01). The concentration of hemoglobin was slightly higher in probiotic-supplemented groups. While a decreased concentration of triglyceride was observed in vent-lip probiotic-administered birds compared to control (P < 0.05), the concentration of cholesterol was not significantly affected by treatments (P > 0.01). None of the immune-related parameters were affected by the probiotic (P > 0.05). Single dose usage of probiotics exerts its beneficial effects on quails’ body weight gain, feed intake and mortality in 1 to 35 d period, regardless of the route of administration. This work generally supports the efficacy of single-dose usage of probiotics and suggests the spray of probiotics as an early, single-dose administration method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study established the reference values and sex differences in the erythrocytic and serum biochemistry parameters of domestic adult quails (Coturnix coturnix). Ninety five adult birds, comprising of 42 males and 53 female Japanese quails were sampled using a simple random sampling technique. Standard procedures were carried out in all haematology and serum biochemistry determinations. The overall mean for the erythrocytic and serum biochemistry parameters were as follows: packed cell volume (PCV) 43.11%, red blood cell count (RBC) 4.31 × 106/µl, haemoglobin concentration (Hbc) 16.21 g/dl, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 100.69 fl, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) 39.17 pg, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) 39.35 g/dl, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 59.99 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 20.85 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 107.54 IU/L, total proteins (TP) 5.19 g/dl, albumin (ALB) 3.25 g/dl, globulin (GLB) 1.94 g/dl, albumin: globulin 1.73, total cholesterol (TCHOL) 146.69 mg/dl, total bilirubin (TBIL) 2.37 mg/dl, uric acid (UA) 16.02 mg/dl and creatinine (CREAT) 0.44 mg/dl. The PCV of the males were significantly higher than that of the females, while the MCH and MCHC of the females were significantly higher than those of the males. The serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, uric acid, creatinine, and total cholesterol values of the female quails were higher than those of the male quails. The present data might be useful to avian specialists and veterinary clinicians, but more research works should be carried out on quails to increase the information data base, especially in the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate the digestible lysine requirement of Japanese quails in the egg-laying phase. A total of 336 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) of average initial age of 207 days were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, composed of 6 treatments (lysine levels) with 7 replicates and 8 birds per experimental unit, with duration of 84 days. Experimental diets were formulated from a basal diet, with corn and soybean meal, with 2.800 kcal ME/kg and 203.70 g/kg crude protein, showing levels of 9.50; 10.00; 10.50; 11.00; 11.50; and 12.00 g/kg digestible lysine; diets remained isoprotein and isocaloric. The following variables were studied: feed intake (FI); lysine intake (LI); egg production per bird per day (EPBD); egg production per bird housed (EPBH); production of marketable eggs (PME); egg weight (EW); egg mass (EM); utilization efficiency of lysine for egg mass production (UELEM); feed conversion per mass (FCEM); feed conversion per dozen eggs (FCDZ); bird availability (BA); percentages of yolk (Y), albumen (A) and shell (S); specific egg weight (SW); nitrogen ingested (NI); nitrogen excreted (NE); and nitrogen balance (NB). Significant effect was only observed for LI, EW, EM, UELEM, FCEM, Y, A and SW. The digestible lysine level estimated in diets for laying Japanese quails is 11.20 g digestible lysine/kg diet, corresponding to an average daily intake of 272.23 mg lysine.

The objective of this study was to trace the inclusion of bovine meat and bone meal (BMBM) in the diet of Japanese quails by analyzing eggs and egg fractions (yolk and albumen) by the technique of carbon-13 (13C) and nitrogen-15 (15N) stable isotopes. In the trial, 120 Japanese quails were distributed in six treatments with four replicates of five birds each. The following treatments were applied: feed based on corn and soybean meal, containing graded BMBM inclusions (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5%). After 42 days, 20 eggs per treatment were randomly collected for three consecutive days. Ten eggs were used for yolk and albumen sample collection, and ten for total egg sample collection. It was possible to detect the dietary inclusion of 1% BMBM in the egg and its fractions. Therefore, the technique of isotopes 13C and 15N is able of tracing since 1% inclusion level of BMBM in the diet of Japanese quails in eggs and their fractions.

The objective of this study was to determine the chlorine nutritional requirement of Japanese Quails during the laying phase, based on performance and egg quality parameters. A total of 240 Japanese quails were distributed according to a randomized block design, with five treatments and six replicates, with 8 birds each. The experiment lasted 84 days, divided in four cycles of 21 days each. Treatments consisted of a basal diet formulated to meet the nutritional requirements, except for chlorine, and four supplementation levels with ammonium chloride, generating the levels 0.8; 1.6; 2.4; 3.2 and 4.0 g/kg. The parameters evaluated were: feed intake (g/bird/day), egg production (egg/bird/day), egg weight (g), egg mass (g), egg mass conversion (g/g), conversion per dozen eggs (kg/dz), weight of yolk (g/100 g of egg), albumen (g/100g of egg) and shell (g/100 g of egg), specific gravity (g/cm³) and shell thickness (mm). As a result of this study, feed intake, egg weight, weights of albumen, yolk, shell and specific gravity were not affected by treatments. There was a quadratic behavior for egg production, egg mass, egg mass conversion, conversion per dozen eggs and shell thickness according to the chlorine levels in the diets, with the requirements for those parameters established at 1.54; 1.37; 1.39 and 2.78 g/kg, respectively. The recommendation is 1.39 g/kg of chlorine and 244.22 mEq/kg of electrolyte balance in diets for Japanese quails.