An Evaluation of Different Quail Varieties for the Heat Stress Resistance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate some biochemical variables under heat-stressed Japanese quail that have different plumage colors for detecting that variety of quail better adapted to heat stress. A total of 100 birds were used in this study. The 25 birds that belong to each four plumage color group were placed in 5-tiered including 3 compartments in each tier plastic cages with subdivided 5 repetitions according to their initial body weights. The statistical significance occurred in LDH (P<0.01). The highest LDH level was found in the Recessive white variety (25.43 mmol/L), followed by Wild type (23.78 mmol/L), Golden (12.87 mmol/L), and Tuxedo (12.71 mmol/L), respectively. The Recessive white group was different from the Golden and Tuxedo groups. According to the results of the current study, there was no significant difference was observed between the four different color varieties of Japanese quail regarding heat stress. However, when LDH is taken into account, it can be thought that the white color may be more sensitive to stress. In order to clarify exactly this situation, more studies that are detailed such as yield performance can be conducted on different quail species.