The Impact of Quail Breeding Conditions at Private Farmsteads on Meat Quality

Abstract

In Russia, different quail breeds are widely grown and bred at specialized poultry farms and private farmsteads. In the Amur Region, only private farmsteads engage in this type of aviculture. The most common breeds are Pharaoh quail, Japanese quail, and Estonian quail. 100 eggs of the Estonian quail have been prepared for hatching in a specialized room at a private enterprise. The incubation has been carried out in the Rcom 20 MAX (RMX-20) machine at a temperature of + 37.2–380C and 55–60% humidity over 17–18 days. The egg hatchability amounted to 75%. In Russia, the birds receive balanced complete feeds of the following grades: P-K-5, P-K-2-1, P-K-6, Start, Super Start, RusQuail, Multigain and others. These feeds include different percentage mixtures of corn, oats, wheat, barley, meals and various types of flour (soy, fish, rice, etc.), yeast, chalk, phosphates, sodium chloride and other minerals. In the Amur Region, the balanced feed ration for poultry is produced by local companies “Amuragrocenter” and “Grinodir". These products have been used for feeding the chicks. The study of the Estonian quail bred at a private farmstead using the Amur feeds revealed some changes. According to the literary sources, the average weight of the Estonian breed is 180–200 g. The weight of the quails grown under the specified conditions was significantly higher — up to 200–260 g. In many regions, consumers prefer local products that they trust.