Layer Quail Research Articles

PSXVI-11 Effects of different level of guava extract on diet of japanese quail breeder (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on intestinal growth of neonate japanese quail.

The objective was to evaluate the use of guava extract (Psidium guajava L.) as an antioxidant additive in the diets of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in laying phase and to verify the intestinal growth of the neonate quail. The experiment was conduced at Federal University of Goias. The extract contained 2.13% ellagic acid. A six hundred forty-eight (648) eggs of layer japanese quails fed with guava extract in the diet were incubated in a completely randomized design, in a single-stage incubator. Temperature of 37°C and humidity of 65% was maintained. Four levels of guava extract were added in the ration of the breeders (0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%), with 162 replicates, each egg being considered an experimental unit. The incubation period and the hatch window totaled 408h and 40h, respectively. At the end of hatch window, 52 quails from eggs of each treatment were necropsied. The parameters of intestinal development studied were: villus height, crypt depth and villus:crypt ratio of duodenal segments. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test at 5% probability. The levels of 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% of inclusion of the extract increasing the villus heigh and crypt depth higher than 0.0%. The use of guava extract as an antioxidant improved intestinal development. It is possible that antioxidant effect of ellagic acid preserved the lipidic structures of the membranes of the intestinal villi, avoiding their oxidation during the process of embryonic development. The use of up to 0.3% inclusion of the extract increased the villi:crypt ratio. It is concluded that the use of 0.3% inclusion of guava extract, contained ellagic acid in layer quail diets enhance the intestinal development of the neonate quail.

Effects of Different Zinc Sources on Productive Performance and Egg Quality, Blood Parameters and Immune Response in Japanese Layer Quail

Effects of Different Zinc Sources on Productive Performance and Egg Quality, Blood Parameters and Immune Response in Japanese Layer Quail

The Effect of High-Level Dietary Supplementation with Different Zinc Sources on Performance, Eggshell Quality and Bone Characteristics in Layer Quails

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with high levels of inorganic, organic or nano sources of two high-level zinc diets (200 and 300 mg/kg) on performance, eggshell quality and mineral content of bone in layer quails. The experiment had a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Egg production and the zinc content of tibia were significantly increased in the present experiment. Compared with zinc oxide supplementation, zinc-glycine supplementation increased zinc concentration in the tibia. The interactions between the sources and levels of zinc were a significant effect on egg production, eggshell breaking strength, eggshell weight and tibia zinc level. The highest eggshell breaking strength and eggshell weight were observed in the group was fed with diet including zinc-glycine at 300 mg/kg. These results suggested that zinc-glycine supplementation positively effects eggshell quality parameters and tibia zinc concentration when compared with other sources used in this experiment. Additionally, the supplementation layer quail diets with zinc-glycine rather than nanoparticulate sources of zinc could be recommended for optimum performance.

New feed additive “M-Feed” in ration of quail layers

It has been studied the effect of fodder additives of new generation “M-feed” on di-gestibility of nutrient by quail layers and their egg production. It is found out that the optimization of the amount of the additive in rations of quails improves the digestibility of the main nutrients and increases their egg production by 5.4%.

THE EFFICACY OF PAPAYA LEAF EXTRACT INCLUSION IN DRINKING WATER AS AN IMPROVING OF LAYER QUAIL PRODUCTION

Bacterial resistance to antibiotic has made the reduction in the use of antibiotic a concern in animal production. The restriction of antibiotic application in animal production can be achieved if the antimicrobial strategy is available. Papaya leaf extract has some antibacterial properties that make it is potential to be used as a substitute for commercial antibiotic. This study was aimed at assessing the efficacy and potential of papaya leaf extract inclusion in drinking water in controlling pathogenic bacteria and improving the production efficiency and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of layer quails. The study was conducted from 24 August to 20 September 2016 at the poultry farm of Department of Animal Husbandry, Djuanda University, Bogor. One-hundred layer quails were allocated into 4 treatments and 3 replicates in a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of five levels of papaya leaf extract inclusions in drinking water , namely drinking water + commercial antibiotic of 0.5 g/liter water (R1), drinking water + papaya leaf extract of 10 ml/liter water (R2), drinking water + papaya leaf extract of 20 ml/liter water (R3), and drinking water + papaya leaf extract of 30 ml/liter water (R4). Data were subjected to an analysis of variance and a Duncan test. Results showed that the inclusion of papaya leaf extract in drinking water gave significant effects on egg mass, egg production efficiency, FCR, egg quality index, and egg shell thickness but not on feed intake, egg weight, and mortality rate. It was concluded that papaya leaf extract produced by a boiling method could be used as a substitute for synthetic antibiotic. Key words: Papaya leaf extract, production efficiency, feed conversion, layer quail.

Utilization of Moringa oleifera Lam. in animal production

Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is commonly known to Filipinos as “Malunggay”. This tree is abundant in the rural areas, and is a rich source of digestible protein, vitamins and minerals, which are essential components of animal feeds. Thus, it has great potential as feed resource, especially for livestock and poultry smallholder farmers. Using livestock and poultry species, feeding experiments were conducted to determine the effects of moringa on the growth performance of goats and broiler chickens; and on the laying performance of chickens and quails and on the quality of their eggs. A grass-legume (60:40) diet consisting of para grass (Brachiaria mutica) in combination with either moringa or Ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) or katuray (Sesbania grandiflora) were fed to goats for 60 days. Dry matter intake was measured daily, while the body weight (BW) was measured monthly. Dry matter intake was higher in goats fed with para grass and moringa (P<0.05), which resulted in higher weight gains (P<0.05). In other experiments, moringa leaves and seeds in different preparations, i.e., fresh, extract and meals were investigated in poultry. Effects on egg production, egg weight, and percentage of broken eggs, yolk color and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed in quail and layer chickens, while the influence on live weight and return on income were evaluated in broiler chickens. Egg production was higher, while egg weight was heavier, yolk color was darker and the FCR was better in layer quail supplemented with 5% moringa leaf meal (All, P<0.05) as well as in White Leghorns provided with 100 mL moringa leaves extract added L-1 of water (P<0.05). On the other hand, the supplementation of moringa seed meal in the diet of Babcock layers reduced the percentage of broken eggs (0.017 vs. 0.032; P<0.05). Meanwhile, the ad libitum feeding of fresh moringa leaves to broiler chickens, did not affect body weight gain; however, the net income per bird increased by 6 Philippine pesos. Based on the findings, moringa leaves and seeds can be used as a supplement in the diet of livestock, layers and broilers because it increased production performance and income, and improved the quality of eggs produced.

Pathology and Tissue Distribution of an LPAI H5N8 of North American Lineage Isolated from an Outbreak in Commercial Japanese Quail (Coturnix c. japonica) in the Central Valley of California

This report describes the pathology and tissue distribution of avian influenza (AI) antigens by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the tissues of commercial layer quail from a natural outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H5N8. LPAI virus H5N8 of North American lineage was diagnosed in commercial Japanese quail hens ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) in California based on serology, reverse-transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction, virus isolation, and sequencing. The sudden increase in mortality in a flock of laying quail hens had prompted the submission of 15 live and 5 dead, 10- to 15-wk-old quail to the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock branch in the beginning of April 2014. There was mild bilateral swelling of the eyelids and greenish diarrhea in 4/15 live quail submitted. On postmortem examination, there were severe, extensive hemorrhages and multifocal, confluent pale foci in the pancreas in 10/20 birds. Liver gross lesions in five birds ranged from a few pale areas to numerous disseminated foci. Histology revealed moderate to severe necrosis of acinar cells in the pancreas with little or no inflammation in most of the birds. Livers had acute multifocal coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes with fibrin exudation and infiltration of few to large numbers of heterophils and lymphocytes randomly scattered throughout. The AI virus was detected in the nucleus and cytoplasm of pancreatic acinar cells and hepatocytes by IHC targeting the nucleoprotein of the AI virus. A few birds had AI antigen in the reticuloendothelial cells of the spleen, endothelial cells of the lungs, epithelium of the respiratory mucosa, and lamina propria of the intestine. The severity of the lesions observed in this natural outbreak of LPAI in quail was higher than that expected for the pathotypic presentation in this species.

Marigold Flower Extract as a Feed Additive in the Poultry Diet: Effects on Laying Quail Performance and Egg Quality

Marigold Flower Extract as a Feed Additive in the Poultry Diet: Effects on Laying Quail Performance and Egg Quality

Pathogenicity of the Korean H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in commercial domestic poultry species

ABSTRACTIn 2014, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N8 triggered outbreaks in wild birds and poultry farms in South Korea. In the present study, we investigated the pathogenicity of the H5N8 HPAI virus, belonging to the clade 2.3.4.4, in different species of poultry. For this, we examined clinical signs and viral shedding levels following intranasal inoculation of the virus in 3-week-old commercial layer chickens and quails, 10-week-old Korean native chickens, and 8-week-old Muscovy ducks. Intranasal inoculation with 106.0 viruses at 50% egg-infective dose resulted in 100% mortality in the layer chickens (8/8) and quails (4/4), but 60% and 0% deaths in the Korean native chickens (3/5) and Muscovy ducks (0/4), respectively. In addition, transmission of the inoculated virus to contact-exposed birds was evident in all the species used in this study. Based on our results, we conclude that the H5N8 HPAI virus has lower pathogenicity and transmissibility in poultry species compared with previously reported H5N1 HPAI viruses.

Canonical-correlation analysis applied to selection-index methodology in quails

Genetic evaluations in dual-purpose quails (Coturnix coturnix) have demonstrated that overall genetic gains in a breeding program are achieved not only based on a specific trait, but on several. The most common technique to use all this information is the selection index. Another alternative may be the canonical-correlation analysis applied to selection index. There is, however, a lack of studies using canonical correlation in quails. Hence, the objectives of this study were to apply canonical-correlation analysis to estimate the relationship of nine traits and to compare genetic gains obtained by this methodology to desired-gain selection index in three lines of quails. Data for three lines of layer quails consisted of body weight at 28 days (W28), egg weight (EW), age at first egg (AFE) and egg production at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after onset of lay. Two sets of traits were established: the first one contained predictor variables (W28, EW and AFE) and the second one contained variables related to egg production. A selection index was constructed using the standardized coefficients of canonical covariates as weighting factors when a given canonical correlation was significant. We constructed two desired-gain selection indices: DG-SI1 and DG-SI2. The difference between them is that DG-SI2 had a desired gain for body weight set to 0. The estimated canonical correlations were as follows: 0.811, 0.058 and 0.003 for the yellow, 0.821, 0.181 and 0.076 for the red, and 0.825, 0.117 and 0.038 for the blue line. Only the first pair of canonical variates was significant (P<0.05). AFE and early stages of egg production were very influent and showed great importance in defining the canonical variates and, consequently, the estimated canonical correlations. All lines had, in general, similar results for the canonical analysis indicating that traits that drive management decisions in these lines would be the same. The indices under study showed differences in response to selection; however, they generally resulted in consistent favorable genetic gains. For all lines, the canonical selection index resulted in the lowest AFE and highest egg production at 30 days. The DG-SI1 showed the highest genetic gains for W28 in all lines. There was a general lower genetic gain of other traits for DG-SI1 at the expense of the desired genetic gain for W28. Selection for AFE, according to the canonical-correlation analysis, would have a great impact on the number of eggs produced. Canonical selection index is a good alternative for a desired-gain selection index.

Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract as antibacterial Salmonella typhimurium to increase productivity of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The objective of this study was to apply effect of Morinda citrifolia L. citrifolia L. leaf extract as antibacterial of Salmonella typhimurium on mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ), egg production and Hen day, hatchability of layer quail. This research was conducted at Laboratory of microbiology and laboratory of poultry nutrition, faculty of animal science, bogor agricultural university and slamet quail farms cilangkap, sukabumi, west java, Indonesia on March-July 2012. Two hundred and forty heads of quail were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (sixty heads of quail/treatment). Experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments consist of level of biscuit Morinda citrifolia L. Citrifolia L. leaf extract i.e R1 = 0%, R2 = 5%, R3 = 10%, R4 = 15%. The results indicated the treatments had significant effect (p < 0.05) on mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ). The average mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ) was given extract Morinda citrifolia L. leaf were R1 (4.00%), R2 (1.00%), R3 (1.33%), R4 (0.67%). The average mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ) was given 15% extract Morinda citrifolia L. leaf (R4) was lowest than control treatment (R1). The results of the analysis indicated that Morinda citrifolia L. leaf of quail drink had not significant effect (p > 0.05) on egg production, hen day and hatchability. It was concluded that the Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract 15% can reduce mortality of Day Old Quail (DOQ) and can increase its egg production, hen day and hatchability.

Mitochondrial gene expression in the liver and muscle of high and low feed efficiency Japanese quail layers subjected to different environmental temperatures.

We evaluated the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) and cytochrome oxidase subunit III (COX III) mRNA expressions in the muscle and liver of Japanese quails presenting high and low feed efficiency (FE), and subjected them to three different environmental temperatures: comfort, heat stress (38°C), and cold stress (10°C). ANT mRNA expression was lower in the liver of heat-stressed animals. In the muscle, higher ANT and COX III mRNA expressions were observed in high-FE and cold-stressed animals. In the liver, much higher expression of COX III mRNA was observed in cold-stressed animals. These results suggest a possible correlation between the genes involved in energy production by the mitochondria and FE phenotypes, and that environmental temperature can affect the ANT and COX III mRNA expressions. Japanese quails presenting different FE levels respond differently to environmental stimuli.

Sexual maturation, serum steroid concentrations, and mRNA expression of IGF-1, luteinizing and progesterone hormone receptors and survivin gene in Japanese quail hens

In avian species, sexual maturation represents the evidence of start laying, which is a consequence of the development of ovarian follicles. These follicles are the functional reproductive unit whose maturation and viability critically depends on endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors beyond the signals from the central nervous system. The present study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of sexual maturity with tissue growth, mRNA expression of certain genes, and serum steroid concentrations in Japanese quail hens. To carry out the present study, a total of forty Japanese quail hens (5 weeks) were housed individually under uniform husbandry condition with ad libitum quail layer ration and water at 14-hour photo schedule. On sixth week onwards, four birds were sacrificed at each time on 1, 3, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28 days. Serum was extracted aseptically to analyze the gonadal steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone) and corticosterone to investigate the liaison with sexual maturation of the species. Expression analyses of four genes i.e., insulin-like growth factor-1, luteinizing hormone receptor, progesterone receptor, and survivin were carried out in the three largest ovarian yellow follicles. A significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight gain and oviduct weight was recorded during the phase of sexual maturation. Smaller follicles revealed higher insulin-like growth factor-1 and survivin gene expression, whereas the reverse result was manifested in both the luteinizing and progesterone hormone receptors. In biochemical study, the gonadal steroids (estrogen and progesterone) were recorded higher at the first half of the experiment when a gradual decrease in corticosterone concentration was confirmed from the very beginning of this study. This result substantiated that sexual maturation in Japanese quail may be completed by the time of 8 weeks after its birth in support of the analyzed information studied in the current investigation.

Effect katuk leaf meal and mulberry leaf meal in the diet on size and mineral content of tibia bone of laying quail

The objectives of this research was to study tibia bone mineral content and blood profil of laying quail offered control diet (P0); diet with 10% katuk leaf meal /KLM (P1); diet with 10% mulberry leaf meal/MLM (P2); and diet with 5% KLM+5% MLM (P3). A completely randomized design using 4 treatments, 5 replications, and 2 quails of 17 weeks of age in each experimental unit replication was used in this experiment. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Duncan test. Parameters observed were tibia bone mineral content. The result showed that quail tibia bone weight and percentage of tibia bone weight were not affected by treatment, but diametre of tibia bone from quail fed mixture of KLM+MLM in the diet shorter (P < 0.05) than that of the other treatment. It was concluded that KLM and MLM can be used in the diet of laying quail up to 10% without affected the tibia bone mineral content. Key Words : Katuk Leaf Meal, Laying Quail, Mulberry Leaf Meal, Tibia Bone.

Pengaruh Pemberian Mikrokapsul Minyak Ikan dalam Ransum Puyuh terhadap Performa Produksi

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding fish oil microcapsule on quail performances. 200 quail layers were randomly allocated into 20 pens. A randomized completely design was used in this study with 0, 2%, 4% and 6% fish oil microcapsule in diet. Variable measured were feed consumption, egg production, egg weight, mass of egg and feed conversion. Data were analized by CRD and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results of the experiment indicated that t he inclusion of fish oil microencapsule in laying quails diet did not affect the production performances ( feed consumption, egg production, egg weight, mass of egg and feed conversion).

Penampilan dan Kualitas Telur Puyuh Yang Diberi Pakan mengandung Produk Fermentasi dengan Neurospora crassa

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding products fermented by Neurospora crassa on quail performances and egg quality. 200 quail layers were randomly allocated into 20 pens. This experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four dietary treatments: 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% product fermented by Neurospora crassa in the diets and four replications. Variable measured were feed comsumption, egg production, feed conversion, egg cholesterol and egg yolk colour. Data were analized by CRD and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results of the experiment indicated that feed comsumption, egg production, feed conversion were not affected (p&gt;0.05) but egg cholesterol and egg yolk colour were affected (p&lt;0.01) by using product fermented in the diets for quails. Results of Duncant Multiple Range Test indicated that egg cholesterol in E treatment (used 12% products fermented) was the lowest than other treatment, but the highest on egg yolk colour . The conclusion of the experiment that up to 12% products fermented by Neurospora crassa can be used in the diet of quail and can increase the quality of quail egg (egg low cholesterol).

Evaluation of the nutritive values of quail litter for ruminants after pelleting

The aim of this work was to study the nutritional value of pelleted meat quail litter (PMQL) and pelleted layer quail litter (PLQL). Both types of litter were pelleted, and the nutritive values were analyzed. The results showed that the total ash (TA), crude protein and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents for the PMQL were much lower than those for the PLQL (P 0.05) different between the PMQL and PLQL. Estimations of the metabolizable energy (ME) were predicted from rumen fluid-pepsin in vitro digestible organic matter content of the DM (MEIV) and organic matter loss during a 72-h rumen incubation (ME-RI). The ME contents were closely correlated with the sum of the TA and ADF, and the correlation coefficient for the ME-IV was -0.881 and 0.913 for the ME-RI. Useful estimations of the ME from the TA and ADF values of the litter samples could be made utilizing regression equations for either ME-IV or ME-RI, with the ME-RI being preferred for its slightly greater correlation coefficient, ME-RI (MJ/kg DM) = 12.7 ‐ 0.0104 (TA + ADF) (g/kg DM).

Penampilan dan Kualitas Telur Puyuh yang Diberi Pakan Mengandung Produk Fermentasi dengan Neurospora crassa

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding products fermented by Neurospora crassa on quail performances and egg quality. 200 quail layers were randomly allocated into 20 pens. This experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four dietary treatments: 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% product fermented by Neurospora crassa in the diets and four replications. Variable measured were feed comsumption, egg production, feed conversion, egg cholesterol and egg yolk colour. Data were analized by CRD and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results of the experiment indicated that feed comsumption, egg production, feed conversion were not affected (P&gt;0.05) but egg cholesterol and egg yolk colour were affected (P&lt;0.01) by using product fermented in the diets for quails. Results of Duncant Multiple Range Test indicated that egg cholesterol in E treatment (used 12% products fermented) was the lowest than other treatment, but the highest on egg yolk colour . The conclusion of the experiment that up to 12% products fermented by Neurospora crassa can be used in the diet of quail and can increase the quality of quail egg (egg low cholesterol).

Role of Body Weight on Reproductive and Physiological Traits in Japanese Quail Layers (Coturnix japonica)

The Japanese quail is a popular laboratory animal for scientific research. Its continued characterization is essential for attaining accurate and reliable results. This includes refining genetic and environmental variables that could affect its use in developmental biology, reproduction, physiology, nutrition, endocrinology and toxicology. The role of body weight as a means of assessing reproductive and physiological traits is presented here. Two groups of random bred Japanese quail layers of 240-days of age having a well- established production and fertility records but differing in body weights were used in th e project. One group of birds (n = 10) weighed 120-130 grams (lighter birds) and the second group (n = 10) weighed 150-160 grams (heavier birds). The heavier birds had significantly higher weights of ovaries and oviducts as well as larger yellow-yolk containing ovarian follicles (p 0.05). Conversely, there was an increase in packed cell volume, plasma proteins and decrease in blood sugar levels (p<0.05) in the heavier birds as compared to the lighter birds. The body weight was found to have a distinct bearing on the weight of reproductive and physiological traits. One should be mindful of body weight when selecting Japanese quail for research projects.

Physio-pathological Responses in Japanese Quail Layers to Blood Collection via Cardiac Puncture

The Japanese quail is a very popular animal model for various biomedical disciplines such as growth and development, reproduction, physiology, endocrinology, nutrition, drug testing and toxicology. Hematological and clinical chemistry parameters are important diagnostic tools and experimental studies invariably draw on them for evaluating the outcomes of treatments. For blood collection, a wide variety of sites are utilized for sampling blood from animals including the heart. Cardiac puncture is being practiced in rodents, birds and rabbits particularly when larger quantities are needed for diagnostic and serological work. One should, however, be fully aware of possible complications that may result from this method. On this aspect, information on the post-collection responses are lacking in the Japanese quail. This report highlights some important observations made on the Japanese quail following a one-time collection of blood via cardiac puncture. The results were very considerably variable. Of the nineteen (19) experimental birds used in this project, one (1) bird succumbed to the procedure and died instantaneously and the others (n = 18) experienced some temporary loss in body weight, cessation in egg production and regression of th e reproductive organs. The loss in body weight was the maximum by d6 post-collection. At this time (d6), five (5) birds which weighed between 115-118g during the pause and had lost a significant amount of bod y weight (loss of ~ 12% from the initial weight at day 0) were, after blood collection, euthanized with carbon dioxide and their hearts and reproductive organs were examined and fixed in 10% formalin. Most of th e surviving birds (n = 8) regained weight between d3 to d12 post-collection and resumed egg production; however, some birds (n = 2) did not lay eggs even by d12 post collection. Both Hemoglobin (Hb) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were significantly elevated during the pause and then returned to their initial values of d0 upon resumption of egg production after the healing process had been compromised. It was implicit that cardiac puncture traumatized the heart and triggered various changes in hormonal and physio-chemical parameters. Post collection pathological alterations included hemopericardium, ventricular hemorrhage and the formation of fibrous tissues in the myocardium and other complications. These points should be kept in mind while planning an experiment or evaluating the outcome of an experiment involving cardiac puncture.