Effect of using ionized water on some productive and physiological performance of Japanese quails

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the effects of using ionized water on the productive and physiological performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica). Our study was conducted at a private farm from 20th April, 2016 to 13th July, 2016 (84 d). One hundred 42-day-old Japanese quail chicks were used, divided randomly into 5 groups with 4 replicates. Treatments consisted in a control group (T1 - normal water:), alkaline (T2 - pH 8 and T3 - pH 9), and acidic water (T4 - pH 6 and T5 - pH 5). All birds were fed a balanced diet of energy and protein. The egg production ratio, egg weight, cumulative number of eggs, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, productivity per hen per week, and effects on plasma lipids, uric acid, glucose, calcium, and phosphorus were studied. The T3 group exhibited greater (P ≤ 0.05) average egg production, productivity per hen per week, cumulative number of eggs, and egg mass compared with the other groups. Moreover, all treated groups (T2 to T5) had higher (P ≤ 0.05) overall average egg weights compared with that of the T1 group. At 18 wk old, plasma cholesterol was decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in the T3 and T5 groups. Furthermore, more (P ≤ 0.05) high-density lipoprotein and less low-density lipoprotein were observed in all treated groups compared with the T1 control group. In conclusion, the productive and physiological performance of Japanese quail was improved in the T3 (alkaline water; pH 9) and T5 (acidic water; pH 5) groups compared with the other experimental groups.