Japanese Quail Chicks Research Articles

EFFICACY OF LYCOPENE ON AFLATOXIN B1- INDUCES OXIDATIVE STRESS, HEPATOTOXICITY, APOPTOSIS AND IMMUNODEFICIENCY IN JAPANESE QUAIL

Mycotoxins are harmful auxiliary metabolites delivered by species of filamentous organisms developing on grains some time recently collect and in capacity. The study was planned to evaluate the protective role of lycopene (LYC) against Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induces oxidative stress, hepatic toxicity, and apoptosis in Japanese quail. Sixty Japanese quail chicks (three-week-old) were randomly allocated into four groups; Negative control group; Aflatoxin -B1 (AFB1) group (1 mg/kg feed) as positive control; lycopene supplemented group (200 mg/kg feed) and AFB1 (1 mg/kg feed) with lycopene supplemented group (200 mg/kg). The growth performance parameters, serum biochemical indices, and liver antioxidant activities as well as histopathological studies, and immunohistochemical pictures were performed. The results showed a significant increase on growth performance and a significant decrease on feed conversion ratio (FCR) in aflatoxin inclusion with lycopene supplemented group. Moreover, the liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly decreased, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities increased in liver tissues. Furthermore, when compared to the aflatoxin-inclusion with the lycopene supplemented group had improved liver tissue and lower levels of cytokine production (IL-6 and TNF-). In conclusion, these findings implied that dietary administration of lycopene has significantly alleviated AFB1-triggered oxidative stress, inflammatory response and liver apoptosis in Japanese quail.

Japon Bıldırcını Rasyonlarına Farklı Seviyelerde Nane (Mentha piperita L.) Yağı İlavesinin Performans, Karkas Özellikleri ve Serum Parametrelerine Etkisi

This study was carried out to determine the effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil addition to growing Japanese quail diets on growth performance, carcass and some serum parameters. In the study, a total of 300 mixed-sex Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks at daily age were fed for 35 days with control and diets that were supplemented with peppermint oil at the levels of 0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 0.60 %. The study was carried out in 5 treatment groups, with 6 replications, in a total of 30 subgroups. At the end of the experiment, the diet peppermint oil levels did not significantly affect the body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. The effects of experimental diets containing different levels of peppermint oil on serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, HDL, LDL, AST and ALT concentrations were statistically insignificant. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups in terms of carcass weight, carcass yield, liver and heart weights, and small intestine length. According to the results of the present study, it was concluded that the addition of different levels of peppermint oil to growing quail diets did not cause any change in performance, carcass, visceral weights and serum parameters.

Egg Development After In Vitro Insemination in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).

In vitro fertilization has been widely used to produce offspring in several mammalian species. We previously successfully produced Japanese quail chicks using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), whereas in vitro insemination was not successful. This may be due to the difficulties associated with mimicking the sperm-egg fusion process and subsequent events in physiological polyspermic fertilization in vitro. In the present study, we observed egg development after in vitro insemination and investigated the inactivation of metaphase-promoting factor (MPF) and cytostatic factor (CSF), which are downstream of the Ca2+ signaling pathway in the egg, due to fertilizing sperm. We found a sperm number-dependent increase in hole formation caused by sperm penetration of the perivitelline membrane, the extracellular coat surrounding the egg. Egg development was observed following in vitro insemination; however, the developmental rate and stages after 24-h culture were inferior to those of ICSI eggs, even when insemination was performed with a high number of sperm (2 × 104). We also noted the downregulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor-1, ryanodine receptor-3, cyclin B1, and c-MOS, which are important regulatory components of MPF and CSF in the egg, which was dependent on the number of sperm used for insemination. However, the decreases observed in these components did not reach the levels observed in the ICSI eggs. Collectively, the present results suggest that a sperm number higher than 2 × 104 is required for the progression of the Ca2+ signaling pathway, which initiates subsequent egg development in Japanese quail.

Effects of maternal methionine supplementation on the response of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks to heat stress.

This study investigated the hypothesis that methionine supplementation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hens can reduce the effects of oxidative stress and improve the performance of the offspring exposed to heat stress during growth. For that, the quail hens were fed with three diets related to the methionine supplementation: methionine-deficient diet (Md); diet supplemented with the recommended methionine level (Met1); and diet supplemented with methionine above the recommended level (Met2). Their chicks were identified, weighed, and housed according to the maternal diet group from 1 to 14 d of age. On 15 d of age, chicks were weighed and divided into two groups: thermoneutral ambient (constant temperature of 23 °C) and intermittent heat stress ambient (daily exposure to 34 °C for 6 h). Methionine-supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens had higher egg production, better feed conversion ratio, higher hatchability of total and fertile eggs, and offspring with higher body weight. Supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens showed greater expression of glutathione synthase (GSS) and methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) genes, greater total antioxidant capacity, and lower lipid peroxidation in the liver. The offspring of hens fed the Met2 diet had lower death rate (1 to 14 d), higher weight on 15 d of age, weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio from 1 to 14 d of age. Among chicks reared under heat stress, the progeny of methionine-supplemented hens had higher weight on 35 d, weight gain, expression of GSS, MSRA, and thermal shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes, and total antioxidant capacity in the liver, as well as lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Positive correlations between expression of glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPX7) and MSRA genes in hens and offspring were observed. Our results show that maternal methionine supplementation contributes to offspring development and performance in early stages and that, under conditions of heat stress during growth, chicks from methionine-supplemented hens respond better to hot environmental conditions than chicks from nonsupplemented hens. Supplementation of quail hens diets with methionine promoted activation of different metabolic pathways in offspring subjected to stress conditions.

Effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed on growth performance, blood parameters, liver oxidant/anti-oxidant levels and fatty liver syndrome in quails.

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed (BCS) on growth performance, blood parameters, liver oxidant/anti-oxidant levels and fatty liver syndrome in quails. Four hundred and thirty-two unsexed (male and female) three-day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks were divided into four treatment groups (108 chicks per group) with six replicates (18 chicks per replicate). Control and experimental groups were fed for 35 days with basal quail feed including 0.00, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00% BCS supplement, respectively. At the end, a total of 96 quails, 24 from each group (12 females and 12 males) were slaughtered. The BCS-addition did not affect the growth performance in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Addition of BCS to the diet significantly decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and urea amounts compared to the controls. Whereas, cholesterol decreased significantly with the addition of only 1.00% and low-density lipoprotein with the addition of 0.50 and 1.00% BCS compared to the controls. Liver glutathione levels significantly elevated in 0.50 and 1.00% BCS fed groups; while, glutathione peroxidase levels significantly decreased in 1.00 and 2.00% BCS fed groups. Adding 1.00 and 2.00% BCS to the feed reduced fatty liver incidence in male quails. It is concluded that adding 0.50 and 1.00% BCS positively affects the blood and liver parameters; therefore, BCS may be suggested as an anti-oxidant source to help protect hepatocytes against tissue damage as it has a significant effect on maintaining oxidant and anti-oxidant balance.

The Effect of Moringa Oleifera Leaf and Canola Seed Powder on Fattening, Laying Performance, Blood Plasma Constituents, and Microbiota in Japanese Quails

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of feeding Japanese quail chicks with diets containing different levels of Moringa oleifera leaf and canola seed powder on growth performance, carcass yield, blood plasma constituents, and egg production. The trial lasted for a total of 7 weeks, with 5 weeks of fattening and two weeks of laying. The first group was the control group, while the second group was supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaves (4g/kg diet), the third group was supplemented with canola seed powder (4g/kg diet), the fourth group was supplemented with a mix of Moringa oleifera leaves and canola seed powder (8g/kg diet). The results showed that canola seed powder from 0-3 weeks of age increased body weight in comparison to the control group, but there were no significant differences (p<0.05) among groups in terms of the final body weight and feed conversion ratio. Average daily feed intake was significantly different (p<0.05). However, body weight, carcass weight, liver weight, gizzard weight, and abdominal fat weight increased significantly compared to the control group. Feeding Moringa oleifera leaves and canola seed powder significantly increased the total plasma protein, as compared to the control group. There were significant decreases in cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL levels among groups, with no significant differences in glucose, ALT and LDL among all treatments. The addition of Moringa oleifera leaf and canola seed powder showed significant effects on calcium and magnesium. Both Moringa oleifera leaf and Moringa-canola mixture significantly reduced the presence of some pathogenic bacteria in the digestive system, which was seen as an important contribution to the digestive and immune systems.

Effect of Supplementation of Thyme and Turmeric Essential Oils on Hemato-biochemical Parameters of Japanese Quails

This experiment was undertaken to assess the influence of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) essential oils on hematobiochemical parameters of Japanese quails. One hundred eighty, 6-day old Japanese quail chicks were subjected to five weeks trial. Quail chicks were distributed at random into five dietary treatment groups each with three replicates of 12 quails per treatment. Quails of T0 group fed diet without essential oils (Basal diet), T1 group fed basal diet with 0.2 % thyme essential oil, T2 group fed basal diet with 0.3% turmeric essential oil, T3 group fed basal diet with combination of 0.125 % thyme essential oil and 0.075 % turmeric essential oils, T4 group fed basal diet with combination of 0.075% thyme essential oil and 0.125 % turmeric essential oils. The results revealed that Japanese quails of essential oils supplemented groups had significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) red blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, serum protein, albumin globulin and high-density lipoprotein concentrations with best results found in T4 group. Supplementing Japanese quails with thyme and turmeric essential oils significantly lowered serum uric acid, creatinine, total bilirubin, glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, SGOT and SGPT activity. It can be concluded that nutritional supplementation of thyme and turmeric essential oils at 0.075 % and 0.125 % in combination improved haematological indices and most of the serum biochemical parameters in Japanese quails.

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Neem Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Haemato-Biochemical Parameters of Japanese Quail

A feeding trial was conducted to discern the influence of dietary incorporation of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder on growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters ofJapanese quail for 6 weeks. A metabolic trial was conducted during the last week of the feeding trial to assess nutrient utilization. A total number of 144-day-old chicks of Japanese quail were randomly assigned into four treatment groups, with 36 Japanese quail per treatment having three replicates of 12 birds each. Birds of treatment T1 (control group ) were fed a basal diet (starter and finisher), whereas in treatment groups T2, T3, and T4, the basal diet was incorporated with 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.00% neem leaf powder, respectively. Results showed supplementation of 0.25% neem leaf powder improved the performance of Japanese quail in terms of body weight gain and performance index during the whole trial period. Nutrient utilization among various treatment groups was similar. The hematological values showed no significant a lterations i n d ifferent groups. Th e biochemical attributes among the treatment groups were similar, but a considerable decrease in the level of cholesterol and glucose was observed with an increasing level of neem leaf powder in the diet. Activities of ALT, AST, and ALP were lowest in the T4 group. It can be concluded that 1 percent neem leaf powder can be supplemented in feed for good health status and desired performance of the birds.

Impacts of varying dietary energy and crude protein levels on growth, carcase traits and digestibility coefficients of growing Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) during the summer season

An experiment that included crude protein (CP) levels and metabolisable energy (ME) energy (Kcal/kg diet) in meat-type Japanese quail chicks was conducted to evaluate their impacts on performance, carcase traits, digestibility coefficients and nutritional value during the growing period. A total of 540 one-week-old (16.0 ± 0.60 g) Japanese quail chicks were randomly divided into nine treatment groups in a factorial experimental design (3 × 3), which included three levels of CP and ME (22, 24 and 26%) plus three levels of (2800, 2900, or 3000 Kcal ME/kg diet) during the summer season. The highest values of body weight at marketing age, daily weight gain and best feed conversion during all experimental periods were observed for chicks given 24% CP with a 3000 Kcal ME/Kg diet. A significant (P < 0.01) interaction effect was observed due to energy and protein levels on the digestion coefficients of CP, ether extract (EE), nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and organic matter (OM). Results of digestion coefficients generally coincided with those of growth performance. The interaction effect between dietary energy and protein levels on total digested nutrients (TDN) and ME was significant (P < 0.01). Chicks fed the 3000 Kcal ME/Kg with a 24% CP diet had the highest values of TDN and ME. The interaction between energy and protein levels showed insignificant effects on all carcase traits studied. In conclusion, a dietary energy level of 3000 Kcal ME/Kg with 24% CP is recommended to feed growing Japanese quail from 1–6 weeks of age under summer season conditions. Quail production throughout the world is increasing. Diets with a lower percentage of protein and energy content may be less expensive. An energy level of 3000 Kcal ME/Kg with 24% CP is recommended for growing Japanese quail during summer.

Effect of biologically active substances of pine nut shells on productive indicators of young quails

The results of the use of secondary raw materials of plant origin (pine nutshells) as a feed additive for quail breeding are presented. A review of the study of biologically active substances of Siberian pine nut shells (Pínus sibírica) and their effects on the body of animals is given. The studies were performed on Japanese quail chicks up to the age of 80 days in the conditions of a quail farm. At one day of age, three groups of chickens were formed with 40 animals in each group. The control group received the basic diet (BD), the 1st experimental group - 99.05% BD + 0.05% powder of pine nutshells, the 2nd experimental group - 99.9% BD + 0.1% powder of pine nutshells. It was found that the best results were obtained when including 0,1% of the feed additive into the basic diet: 10,44% increase in the absolute live weight gain, 7,5% increase in safety, 12,2% decrease in feed consumption. The control slaughter of the 2nd experimental group cockerels at the end of the studies confirmed the positive effect of the additive - increasing the pre-slaughter live weight by 7.98%, the slaughter yield - by 3.01% compared with the control group. The chemical composition of meat of the 2nd experimental group differed from the control by an increase in the dry matter by 4.28%, crude fat by 3.86%, a decrease in crude ash by 0.33%. Тhe amino acid composition was more complete in the content of lysine, arginine, alanine, asparagine, glutamine and the amount of essential and substitutable amino acids compared with the control group, indicating improved meat quality of the experimental quails.

Bıldırcın Diyetlerine Farklı Düzeylerde Nar Çekirdeği Yağı İlavesinin Besi Performansı ve Karkas Özelliklerine Etkisi

Bu çalışma, besiye alınan bıldırcınların diyetlerine ilave edilen farklı düzeylerdeki (%0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 ve 2) nar (Thymbra spicata L. var. spicata) çekirdeği yağının bıldırcınların besi performansları ve karkas özellikleri üzerine etkisini araştırmak amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada, günlük yaşta 135 adet Japon bıldırcını civcivi kullanılmış olup, hayvanlar 42 gün süreyle besi denemesine alınmışlardır. Çalışmada, kontrol ve muamele gruplarına ait bıldırcınlarda, canlı ağırlık, yem tüketimi, yemden yararlanma oranı, karkas ağırlığı ve karkas randımanlarına ait ortalamalar arasındaki farklılıkların istatistiksel olarak önemsiz olduğu saptanmıştır. Benzer şekilde, karkas kısımları ve iç organlara ait ortalamalar bakımından, göğüs ağırlığı, kanat ağırlığı, boyun ağırlığı, karaciğer ağırlığı, kalp ağırlığı ve testis ağırlığı arasındaki farklılıklar da önemsiz bulunmuştur. Ancak, but ağırlığı bakımından dişiler arasındaki farklılıklar önemli olmuştur (P

Effect of maca powder supplementation to growing quail diets on performance, carcass, serum constituents and hormones, and bone and ileum characteristics.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of maca powder supplementation (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5g/kg) in the diet on performance, carcass characteristics, serum biochemical constituents and hormone concentrations, bone biomechanical properties, and ileum histomorphology in growing Japanese quails. In this 42-day trial, a total of 480 mixed sex Japanese quail chicks, aged 1day, were randomly distributed among six experimental groups. Each experimental group contained four replicates of 20 chicks each. The addition of 2.0g/kg of maca powder to the diet significantly decreased body weight, body weight gain compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, with the 1.5g/kg level of maca powder, feed efficiency improved considerably (P < 0.05). The testis weight increased significantly with the addition of maca powder at 1.0g/kg level to the diet, and testesteron concentration of serum in male quails was also increased significantly at 1.5g/kg level of maca powder compared to control group (P < 0.05). The addition of 2.5g/kg level of maca powder significantly reduced the cholesterol concentration of serum in male quails compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The administration of 2.0g/kg level of maca powder to the diet caused a decrease in shear force (P < 0.05). The addition of maca powder to the diet significantly increased crypt depth and villus surface area at 0.5g/kg level, villus width at 1.0g/kg level, and villus height at 2.0g/kg level in growing quails (P < 0.05). According to the results obtained from the present research, it can be said that the addition up to 2.0g/kg maca powder to growing quail diets could improve feed efficiency, testesteron concentration of serum, and ileum properties.

Effects of Substitution of Soybean Meal With Sesame Meal on the Performance of Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) and its Impact on Economics of these Quails Raising

Sesame meal (SSM) is locally available and relatively cheaper source of protein having an amino acid composition similar to that of soybean meal (SBM) with the exception of lower lysine and higher methionine contents. Despite its merits it has been under-utilized in quail’s diets. This study was conducted to examine the effects of substitution of SBM with different levels of SSM on production and economic performance of Japanese quails. One hundred eighty day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly distributed into six experimental groups of three replicates of ten birds each replicate group was placed in a battery. Six of the Groups were given rations with different levels of SSM included; SSM–0 g (control), SSM–50 g, SSM–100 g, SSM–150 g, SSM–200 g and SSM–250 g including SSM per kg of rations. All Rations were fed ad libitum, records of initial body weight; weekly body weight gain and weights of feed offered, consumed and refused were kept. Dressing percentage was determined at the end of experiment. Results indicated that feed efficiency were not affected (P&lt;0.05) in quails fed ration containing 50g of SSM, 100, 150 and 200 with higher (P&lt;0.01) daily weight gain was observed in ration with SSM of 150g per kg of ration. Total feed consumption and dressing percentage were not affected. No significant difference was observed in all groups in terms of cost benefit ratio. It is concluded that SSM can be used as an alternative protein source in Japanese quail diets at inclusion levels up to 150 g/kg without negative effects on performance and carcass traits.

Büyüyen Japon Bıldırcınlarında Rasyona Bacillus subtilis İlavesinin Büyüme Performansı, Organ Ağırlıkları ve Bazı Serum Parametrelerine Etkileri

This study was carried out to determine the effects of Bacillus subtilis addition to growing Japanese quail diets on growth performance, some serum parameters and carcass parameters. In the study, a total of 200 mixed-sex Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks were fed for 35 days with diets formed with the addition of different levels of control and Bacillus subtilis (250, 500, 750 mg/kg). The study was carried out in 4 treatment groups with 5 replications. At the end of the experiment, Bacillus subtilis levels did not affect the feed intake and feed conversation ratio, which are performance parameters, but affected the body weight and body weight gain statistically significantly. The addition of Bacillus subtilis to the diets of growing Japanese quails showed that glucose and creatinine concentrations were significantly affected, and urea, triglyceride, cholesterol, total protein, phosphorus and calcium values were not affected by the treatment levels. Among the carcass parameters, carcass yield, liver weight, pancreas weight, heart weight, gizzard weight and intestinal length did not statistically differ between the treatment groups. According to the results of the present study, it can be said that the addition of Bacillus subtilis at the level of 500 mg/kg to growing quail diets may be beneficial in terms of improving performance.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella sativa) on Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Simple SummaryOver the last decade, there has been a surge of interest in the use of natural herbs as antibiotic alternatives or natural feed additives in diets to boost animal productivity and optimize the potential production. One of the natural feed additives is black cumin powder (BCP), which is characterized by high antioxidant activity and high phenolic contents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of varying levels of BCP added to the Japanese quail diet on the growth, slaughter carcass, sensory features, and some meat preservation properties. It is worth noting that BCP lowered the overall quantity of bacteria and increased the quality of meat preservation. According to our findings, the supplementation of BCP had a positive influence on the quail growth, lipid profile, antioxidant, immunity, meat storage quality, pH, and decrease in pathogenic bacteria content.The current study was conducted to determine the effect of adding black cumin (Nigella sativa) powder (BCP) to the Japanese quail diet on the carcass characteristics and meat quality. In this research, 240 Japanese quail chicks (mean initial body weight 9.15 ± 0.12) were divided into four groups of four replications each. Treatments consisted of the addition of BCP at levels 1, 2, and 4% to the mixed feed and control group without the BCP additive. Compared to the other groups, the group with the 2% BCP diet had a higher live weight (LW), body weight gain (BWG), and a better feed conversion ratio (FCR, p < 0.05). BCP administration had no impact on the carcass characteristics, however, BCP had a significant effect on the thigh and breast meat. The animal study protocol was approved by the Niğde Governorship, Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkey (protocol code: E-15018773-050.01.04-75932 and date of approval: 26 April 2021) for studies involving animals. Lower thiobarbituric acid (TBA), pH, peroxide, and total psychrophilic bacteria levels were found in the BCP added groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). When compared with the control, the sensory properties such as color, juiciness, softness, and flavor were significantly higher in the BCP treated groups, especially when fed the 2% BCP diet. It can be concluded that BCP as an additive to quail feeds had a significant effect on the performance of quails as well as on the shelf life of the meat. In order to avoid health and environmental concerns, it was concluded that BCP can be used as a natural additive to replace synthetic antimicrobials and antioxidants at the level of 1–2% in quail compound feeds.

Performance, Blood Lipid Profile, and the Expression of Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Genes in Purebred and Crossbred Quail Lines.

Simple SummaryPoultry breeding programs are established to ameliorate the genetic potential of domestic birds through a selection process and crossbreeding programs. In this context, crossbreeding has been considered as an essential tool to produce favorable genotypes, which are affected by different genetic resources and non-genetic factors. Thus, the aim was to evaluate the impact of crossing white and brown quail lines on growth performance, carcass traits, and the relative expression of growth-related genes. The crossbred WBQ quail line (male white × female brown) exhibited a significantly greater dressing percentage and better feed conversion ratio (FCR), as well as higher mRNA expression of growth hormone receptor (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) genes.The aim was to evaluate the performance, blood lipid profile, and the relative expression of growth-related genes in purebred white and brown quail lines and their crossbred lines. A total of 240 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks of white and brown line, their crossbred line (WBQ: male white × female brown), and reciprocal crossbred line (BWQ: male brown × female white) were divided into four equal groups (60 birds each). The white quail line showed significantly higher final body weight, daily gain, and feed intake compared with the other quail lines (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, both crossbred quail lines (WBQ and BWQ) showed significantly lower FCR compared with both purebred quail lines (p = 0.001). Both crossbred quail lines showed greater dressing percentages compared with both purebred quail lines (p = 0.038). The brown quail line showed significantly (p = 0.05) higher levels of serum triglycerides and VLDL compared with the white and BWQ lines. The WBQ crossbred line exhibited significantly higher mRNA expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes compared with other quail lines (p < 0.001). Both crossbred lines (WBQ and BWQ) exhibited negative heterosis percentages for body weight (−4.39 and −3.90%, respectively) and feed intake (−10.87 and −14.59%, respectively). Meanwhile, heterosis percentages for FCR (−6.46 and −9.25%, respectively) and dressing percentage (7.54 and 6.38%, respectively) were improved in both crossbred lines. The WBQ line showed high heterosis percentages for the expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes (52.28 and 88.81%, respectively). In conclusion, the WBQ line exhibited significantly greater dressing percentage and better FCR, as well as higher mRNA expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes. These results may be helpful to improve breeding programs and to develop commercial lines of meat-type Japanese quail.

The influence of flock age and egg size on egg shape index, hatchability and growth of japanese quail chicks

The study assessed the effects of age and egg size on egg shape, egg weight loss, hatchability and growth of Japanese quail. A total of 198 eggs from a breeder flock at 40, 43 and 46 weeks of age were categorised as light, medium and large. Egg shape index was analysed using Histogram with Fit and Groups. Data were subjected to two-way Analysis of Variance using General Linear Model procedure of Minitab (version 18) at 5% Least Significant Difference. Egg weight loss was not different in the younger birds but changed significantly at 46th week on the 6th and 12th days of incubation. Egg weight loss significantly changed between the light and medium-sized eggs. Fertility was significantly affected by egg size. Age and egg size did not change hatchability but significantly affected hatching weight. Chick growth varied significantly at day 14 in eggs collected at week 40. Chick growth significantly increased across the days as egg size increased. The least shape index (77.3%) was recorded in the heavy and medium eggs at 40 and 46 weeks of age. Fertility, hatchability, chick growth and mortality can be affected by age of quails and size of quail eggs

The Effects of Dietary Clinoptilolite Supplementation on Fattening Performance, Some Blood and Visceral Organ Parameters in Japanese Quails

This study was aimed at determining the effects of dietary zeolite (clinoptilolite) supplementation on fattening performance, slaughter characteristics, and some blood and visceral organ parameters in Japanese quails. For this purpose, 140 (4x35) four-day-old Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 4 replicates (9+9+9+8), and the study was continued for a period of 31 days. The groups were fed on a basal diet supplemented with 0% of clinoptilolite (control group), 1.5% of clinoptilolite (Z1.5), 3% of clinoptilolite (Z3) and 6% of clinoptilolite (Z6). For the female quails, the best blood TOS and liver TAS levels were detected in Z3 and Z1.5, respectively. For the male quails, the best blood TAS and liver TOS levels were determined in Z1.5. Histopathological examination demonstrated that dietary supplementation with 1.5% of zeolite had increased the height of the intestinal villi in both male and female quails, and had reduced hepatic lipidosis in female quails. Female quails displayed significantly increased levels of hepatic lipidosis in Z3 and Z6, and liver hepatitis in Z3. In result, it is suggested that zeolite, a hydrated aluminosilicate, in its form containing 90.2% of clinoptilolite, can be incorporated as a feed supplement into quail basal diets at a rate of 3%, owing to its positive effect on fattening performance. Furthermore, the use of zeolite may also contribute to maintaining animal health by reducing humidity in poultry houses and feed.

Productive performance, egg quality, and hatching traits of Japanese quail lines selectedfor higher body weight and egg number

The present study evaluated the effect of selection for higher body weight (weight based selection = WBS) and egg numbers (egg based selection = EBS) on productivity, egg quality, and hatching traits of Japanese quail for three generations. From a base population of 1125 day-old chicks of Japanese quail, best performing families were allowed to propagate for getting next generation. WBS in G3 presented higher values of feed intake, egg weight, hatching weight. However, egg production and feed conversion ratio were better in EBS during G3. The incidence of embryonic mortality was also lower in the WBS line. In the 8th week egg quality traits differed in the EBS line, however, at the age of the 16th week, the WBS line during G3 revealed the better egg characteristic. Despite the lower egg production, the quails selected for higher 4th-week body weight had better egg quality than those selected for egg type line; hence, the selection for body weight is more beneficial and effective than the egg based selection.

Response of two strains of growing Japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) to diet containing pomegranate peel powder.

Four hundred and eighty 1-day-old Japanese quail chicks from white and brown strains, 240 birds from each strain, were divided into 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates each (10 birds/replicate). Both strains of quail were fed diets containing 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% pomegranate peel (PP) powder for a period of 42days. Results revealed that the final body weight (BW), total feed intake (TFI), body weight gain (BWG), gizzard percentage, and eviscerated carcass weight of white growing quails were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the brown strain. Quail group fed with 6% PP powder had the highest (P < 0.001) average final BW and BWG (P < 0.001). The dietary PP powder at different levels significantly (P = 0.032) decreased TFI, but had no significant effect on carcass traits except for the liver percentage. Quails fed diet 3% and 9% PP powder had significant (P < 0.001) increased count of immune cells, and improved antioxidant potency. White quails fed diet 3% and 6% PP powder had greater expression of hepatic GHR gene. The expression of hepatic IGF-1 gene was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for brown quails fed diet 6% and 9% PP powder. White quails recorded the highest value of total return (TR). Quails fed diet 6% and 9% PP powder significantly (P < 0.001) recorded higher net return (NR) values. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of PP powder at levels up to 9% for Japanese quail strains improved the growth performance, increased antioxidant properties, enhanced hepatic gene expression, and did not show any adverse influence on carcass quality and blood indices of Japanese quail. Moreover, it increased the NR.