Comparison of growth and developmental stability traits of Japanese quails reared in conventional and enriched cages

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different rearing systems on some performance and welfare characteristics in Japanese quail. For this purpose, a total of 630 birds were housed in battery-type conventional cages, conventional floor cages and enriched floor cages. There were statistically significant differences between the experimental groups and the sexes in terms of the average body weight of the quails at 42 and 56 days of age (both P<0.01). Accordingly, it was determined that the average body weight of the quails raised in the conventional battery cages were higher than those raised both in the conventional and enriched floor cages. Gompertz growth curve model parameters of β0, β1, β2 were estimated as 262.05, 3.76, 0.050 for birds housed in battery-type conventional cages, 228.12, 3.57, 0.042 for birds housed in conventional floor cages, and 252.53, 3.86, 0.045 for birds housed in enriched floor cages, respectively. Among the bilateral traits, the highest mean value of relative asymmetry was found for wing length of birds reared in conventional battery type cages (P<0.01). As a result, it was determined that quails raised in conventional battery type cages are more advantageous for economic production. However, it may be recommended to use enrichment objects for an animal welfare oriented production system.