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Despite Common Quail Coturnix coturnix is one of the main game species in Armenia, it is very difficult to generate its reliable population estimate due to methodological constraints and a range of biological characteristics of the species. The current research evaluated the efficiency of a newly proposed non-traditional census technique in combination with other traditional count methods of Common Quail which were tested in the post-breeding period of 2020. This combined approach allowed to estimate a close-toabsolute total population number of Common Quail and the number of birds to be harvested during the hunting season in Armenia. Finally, the research recommends that the Quail survey must be carried out each year, commence in early Spring and finish by the opening of the hunting season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common quail (Coturnix coturnix Linneaus, 1758) belongs to a genus with a small variety of species, inhabiting a huge area, which has given the opportunity to distinguish several subspecies. An important element for the common quail's population diversity, which is relatively poorly studied, is the possibility of inter-species hybridization and intraspecies crossbreeding. The main scientific focus is in the direction of relationship between common and Japanese quail. The analysis of possible other possibilities of interaction between the different species of the genus Coturnix and the separate subspecies gives serious grounds for a far broader consideration of the common quail hybridization issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the controversy over Common quail (Coturnix coturnix Linneaus, 1758) subspecies diversity, the following subspecies stand out in the scientific literature: C. c. coturnix (Linneaus, 1758), C. c. africana (Temminck & Schlegel, 1848), C. c. erlangeri (Zedlitz, 1912), C. c. inopinata (Hartert, 1917), and C. c. conturbans (Hartert, 1917). This systematics is based on the area of distribution and insignificant external differences, which is criticized for the migratory behavior of the species and the opportunities for interspecies contact in the common areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was undertaken in black and white quails for studying the effect of plumage colour, estimating genetic parameters and fitting non-linear regression model to growth curve in white and black Japanese quails. White quails were significantly heavier in comparison to black quails across age groups indicating association of plumage colour with growth rate. The body weight variables measured at bi-weekly intervals when considered as a single variable had low repeatability indicating they were genetically not identical variables. Paternal half-sib estimates of heritability indicated higher additive variance in white quails in comparison to black quails. Phenotypic correlation estimates between bodyweights at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks of age, ranged from medium to high indicating favourable correlated response in bodyweight variables. Gompertz curve had very good fit with the data (99.6%) and similar curve parameters were estimated in both quail varieties. Point of inflection (IPT) was similar in both quail varieties and was 3.46 (black) and 3.44 weeks of age (white). The estimates of different growth parameters indicated the favourable effect of selection in these quail lines. Results indicated that growth curve estimates can be used for developing future breeding strategies in quails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate plasma macrominerals (Ca, P, Na, K, and Mg) in adult male and female quails according to different body weights in four close-bred flocks of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) maintained at the Avian Research and Training Center of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. The results showed that mean plasma Na concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) different in female quails with respect to body size categories. The interaction between flocks and body size for plasma Ca levels was significant (P < 0.05) in both sexes of quails, whereas plasma Na was significant (P < 0.05) in female quails. The mean plasma P and K levels in imported and local flocks of Japanese quails were significantly (P < 0.05) different in female quails, whereas plasma Mg was significantly (P < 0.05) different in male quails. However, with respect to body size categories, plasma P, K, and Mg were significantly (P < 0.05) different in female quails only. The interaction between flocks and body size was significant for K and P in female quails and for plasma Mg levels in both sexes of quails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate growth parameters of carcass components (wing, thighs and drumsticks, back and breast) and organs (heart, liver, gizzard and gut) in males and females of one meat-type quail strain (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) and two laying strains (Coturnix coturnix japonica) designated either yellow or red.A total of 1350 quail from 1 to 42 d old were distributed in a completely randomised design, with 5 replicates of each strain. The carcass component weights and body organs were analysed weekly and evaluated using the Gompertz function; growth rates were evaluated through derivative equations.The meat-type strain presented the highest growth rates in carcass components and organs. Across strains, females showed the highest weight of internal organs at maturity compared to males.Females had greater growth potential in breast, wings and back than males for both yellow and red laying quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Dietary supplementation with thymol has been shown to improve the oxidative stability of eggs and meat during storage. In addition, in vitro studies have shown that this compound can act as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, similarly to its analog phenolic compound propofol. Hence, it is conceivable that thymol could also present anxyolitic and/or fear reducing properties, probably also affecting their locomotor activity. Considering that fear-inducing/stressful situations are practically unavoidable during birds’ rearing, the thymol feed supplementation could therefore present beneficial consequences in terms of animal welfare. This study evaluates potential fear reducing properties of thymol feed supplementation and its potential effects on locomotor activity by assessing female Japanese quail behavioral responses during brief mechanical restraint and open-field tests. Birds were evaluated after 2 and 15 days of supplementation. During the brief mechanical restraints, the latencies to struggle were significantly (P<0.05) shorter and the number of struggling bouts significantly higher (P<0.05) in the thymol group than in their Control counterparts suggesting a fear reducing effect. No effects on locomotor behavior were detected during open-field testing. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with thymol may help reduce female fear responses when birds are exposed to stressful situation without affecting the bird's locomotor activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The main goal of the study was to be determined some age linked ultrastructure features of the duodenum in specific bird species. The investigated are 20 birds from each -- Japanese and Wild quails. They were divided into four age groups (1st, 20th, 45th u 60th day of hatching; 5 birds in each age group). The materials for the electon microscopic study were obtained from the middle section of the duodenum. Onto the apical surface of the enterocytes of the duodenum with the one day old Japanese and Wild quails were determined evenly located and with similar height microvillies. They covered the apical surface of the enterocites and around the apical parts was seen glycocalyx. The height of the duodenal microvilli of the twenty days old Japanese quails was greater from those of the one day old. The 45 days old and 60 days old quails the microvilli, covering the apical surface of the enterocytes were evenly placed, but their height was continuously growing. The height of the duodenal microvilli of the one day old Japanese and Wild quails was equal. With the 20, 45 and 60 days old quails, the height of the microvilli of the Wild type were higher from the microvillies of the Japanese quails. We beleive the difference of the microvillies height of the duodenum with the Wild and the Japanese quail is due to the distinction in the nutritive habits and requirements of the investigated birds. The Wild quail is a bird, which is in a need of greater reabsorption mucosa of the small bowel and most likely is the reason the duodenal microvilli to be higher compare to the Japanese one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining ability effects for some broiler traits of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were studied under warm-humid conditions of West Bengal, India. The data were collected on pure and cross line quails from a 3 x 3 complete diallel cross experiment for body weight of individual quail chicks from day old to 8th week of age at fortnight interval and conformation traits viz., breast angle, keel length and shank length at 6th and 8th weeks of age to estimate GCA, SCA and reciprocal effects. GCA, SCA and reciprocal effects were significant for most of the traits studied. The estimates of combining ability effects and heterosis effect of different genetic groups suggested that the ML (meat line) x SL (synthetic line) cross is suited best as broiler quail chick. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural populations of the common quail Coturnix coturnix may hybridize in the wild with non-native individuals (Japanese quail Coturnix japonica or hybrids) as a result of restocking for hunting purposes. Several laboratory studies suggest that this could lead to a decline in the impulse to migrate in the common quail, and a drop in the frequency of phenotypes showing this tendency. This could lead to an increase in common quail populations in North Africa and a decrease in Europe. This paper provides new data on the proportion of hybrids in Catalonia (Northeast Spain) over 24 years (1983–2006) showing how restocking with Japanese quail or hybrids affects native populations of common quail. The first hybrids were detected in 1990 with an estimate of 4. 65% of non-native individuals during the breeding season of wild common quail populations. No increase in non-native or hybrid numbers was detected during the study period, indicating that restocking poses no serious conservation problems at present. However, this may change in the near future, either with or without changes in the current scenario. A prudent policy with regard to restocking with non-native individuals is suggested. Moreover, further studies are needed to clarify the extent of this conservation problem. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two subspecies of Coturnix coturnix have allopatric distributions in Europe, Maghreb and western Asia (the Common quail C. c. coturnix), and in eastern Asia (the Japanese quail C. c. japonica), except for sympatric breeding areas in the Baikal (Russia) and Kentei (Mongolia) regions, where they could hybridize. Japanese quails have been reproduced in captivity for centuries and domesticated. Massive releasing of Japanese domesticated quails, or hybrids, in west European countries might threaten with hybridization the gene pool of wild quail populations. Here, we used mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA markers (microsatellites), and Bayesian admixture analyses aiming to assess subspecies distinction and identify hybrids in wild and captive-reared quails. A phylogenetic tree identified two major mtDNA clades, corresponding to the two subspecies, and allowed detecting 12 hybrids in wild Common quails sampled in Spain. Additional hybrids were identified in wild quails sampled in Spain, Italy and Senegal using microsatellite markers. Wild quails sampled in Mongolia showed japonica mtDNAs, but their microsatellite genotypes were admixed, suggesting that Common and Japanese quails can hybridize in nature. Some captive-reared stocks of Japanese quails were also admixed. Introgression of domesticated Japanese quail genes in wild Common quail populations might affect the phenotypic expression of functional traits, as body size, feather colours, sexual calls and migratory behaviours. Hence, restocking with captive-reared non-native quails should be banned. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The mechanisms involved in D-glucose and amino acid transport in the intestine of birds are still not clear. In chickens, D-glucose and amino acid absorption occurs via carrier-mediated transport, but in wild birds a passive paracellular mechanism seems to be the predominant pathway. The purpose of this work was to determine the existence of carrier-mediated sodium cotransport of D-glucose and L-alanrne in the small intestine of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix), a granivorous bird. Intestinal transport was determined by changes in the short-circuit current (Isc), proportional to ion trans-membrane flux, in the middle segment of the intestine of Japanese quail with a Ussing chamber. D-Glucose produced an increase of the Isc, and this effect was reverted by phloridzin, indicating the presence of a D-glucose transport mediated by the sodium/glucose cotranspoter 1. Addition of L-alanine also produced an increase of the Isc. We concluded that there is carrier-mediated cotransport of D-glucose and L-alanine with sodium in the small intestine of the Japanese quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present studies report the impact of two different pre-storage incubation (PRESI) periods (6 & 12 h) on embryo mortality and hatching efficiencies of Japanese quail eggs. In all, 540 quail eggs were obtained from a commercial Japanese quail flock, Differentiated into three treatments (with three replicates), containing 60 eggs each. Group I (control), without PRESI, was stored under controlled conditions (12°C & RH: 70%), while group II comprised short-term PRESI, incubated at 37°C for 6 h, and stored at control storage conditions for 42 h and group III, contained long-term PRESI, kept and incubated at 37°C for 12 h. Following three periods, eggs were incubated under usual conditions at 37.6°C and 60% relative humidity. It was resulted that, a hatchability ratio 86.6, 96.7 and 93.3%, was obtained for three respective groups. Maximum embryo mortality occurred in the control group, while that of Group II (short-term PRESI) had minimum mortality, with no significant differences occurred between groups II and III and that, embryo mortalities were significantly higher in group1 (3.3, 3.3 & 10%, respectively). PRESI could possibly reduce incubation length without altering chick weight. Incubating quail eggs for shortterm prior storage improved hatching efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]