Meat-type Quail Research Articles

Genetic parameters for cloacal gland, sexual maturity, reproductive organs weight, and body weight in meat-type quail

Selection to increase body weight in poultry can hamper reproduction traits and compromise production efficiency. Thus, attention to reproduction traits is essential to improving the sustainability of breeding programs. Data from a domestic quail breeding program for meat production were used to estimate genetic parameters. We analyzed five traits: 4-week body weight, age at sexual maturity for males and females, cloacal gland area, female, and male reproductive organs weights. A multi-trait mixed model analysis with fixed effects of generation/hatch was performed, assuming environmental covariance equals zero for sex-limited traits. Heritability estimates range from low to moderate for male sexual maturity and cloacal gland area, and high for other traits. Intersexual genetic correlation for age at sexual maturity is positive, which can lead to correlated responses in the other sex. Reproductive organs weights are genetically correlated with body weight, but not significantly between sexes and nor with sexual maturity. Genetic correlations for the cloacal gland area were positive with body weight and negative with age at sexual maturity of males and females, demonstrating a potential use of this trait for selection with favorable outcomes in reproduction. The use of the cloacal gland area can be used in the same way as the scrotal circumference in mammals, improving female reproduction traits by selecting a trait recorded in males.

Research Note: Association of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor gene polymorphism with production performance in Savimalt and French Giant meat-type quails

This study aimed to investigate the association of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with growth traits and carcass traits of quail by PCR amplification and direct sequencing technology. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from 49 female French Giant (FG) quails and 36 female Savimalt (SV) quails as part of this study. Growth traits and carcass traits were measured and assessed for IGF-1R gene analysis in the 2 meat-type quail strains. The results showed that 2 SNPs (A57G and A72T) of the IGF-1R gene were detected in the 2 quail strains. The A57G (P=0.002) and A72T (P=0.026) were significantly associated with breastbone length (BBL) in FG. Whereas A57G was significantly associated with chest weight (CW, P=0.004), BBL (P=0.009), and body length (BL, P=0.009) in SV, while A72T was significantly associated with BBL (P=0.014) and BL (P=0.028) in SV. Haplotypes based on these 2 SNPs showed significant effects on BBL in FG strain (P=0.000), and they also had significant effects on CW (P=0.007), BBL (P=0.004), and BL (P=0.001) in SV strain. Additionally, A57G was significantly associated with liver rate (LR) in FG strain (P=0.017). A72T showed significant associations with dressed carcass weight (DCW, P=0.048) and breast muscle weight (BMW, P=0.018) in FG strain. A57G was significantly associated with DCW (P=0.048), whole net carcass weight (WNCW, P=0.048), BMW (P=0.036), and liver muscle rate (LMR, P=0.003) in SV strain. Haplotypes also displayed significant effects on BMW (P=0.029) and LMR (P=0.010) in FG strain. These findings indicated that the IGF-1R gene could serve as a valuable molecular genetic marker for enhancing growth traits and carcass traits in meat-type quails.

Research Note: Association of LEPR gene polymorphism with growth and carcass traits in Savimalt and French Giant meat-type quails

The leptin receptor (LEPR) gene is a member of the class I cytokine receptor family, which plays an important role in weight regulation, fat accumulation and neuroendocrine function in animals. This study aimed to explore the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the LEPR gene with growth and carcass traits in meat-type quail by PCR amplification and DNA direct sequencing. In this study, genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 36 female Savimalt (SV) quails and 49 female French Giant (FG) quails. Growth traits (measured at 3 or 5 wk) and carcass traits (measured at 5 wk) were used for LEPR gene association analysis. The results showed the existence of 9 SNPs (T81C, G90T, C187A, A191G, A219G, G258A, C286T, G346A, and G373A) of the LEPR gene in the 2 quail strains. The statistical analyses indicated that these SNPs of LEPR gene was significantly associated with shank circumference (SC), shank length (SL), breastbone length (BBL), heart rate (HR), and whole net carcass rate (WNCR) of FG (P < 0.05); chest width (CW), body length (BL), leg muscle rate (LMR), whole net carcass rate (WNCR), and heart rate (HR) of SV (P < 0.05). While haplotypes showed significant effect on SL, BBL, heart weight (HW), WNCR, and HR of FG (P < 0.05). Therefore, the LEPR gene may serve as a molecular genetic marker for improving growth and carcass traits in quails.

Morphometric parameters of eggs from breeds quail for meat

The paper shows the results of assessing eggs quality by morphometric and morphological indicators from meat-type quails, identifying significant differences in the quality indicators of the egg, which are responsible for the incubation and commercial qualities of the egg. In total, 360 eggs from 50 females were tested from Pharaoh and Texas White quails per month. Eggs for this study were collected from the age of 90 days. The shelf life of quail eggs was no more than 2 days from the moment of laying; the storage temperature was not higher than 15 ? at an average air humidity was 75%. The collection of morphological parameters (weight of the whole egg and its components) and biophysical parameters (elastic deformation of the egg, strength and thickness of the shell) was carried out on a highly sensitive analyzer Stable Micro Systems, Ohaus laboratory electronic scales and using a caliper. During the analysis of the eggs, significant differences in the morphological parameters of the eggs were established. The Texas White quail was superior to the Pharaoh quail and had at 2% more elongated shape (at the egg index). In both meat breeds shell thickness was 0.27 mm an average, howewer the difference was found in the shell thickness without an under shell membrane, namely the true shell. From the Texas quail it was 1.12 times thinner than from the Pharaoh quail. The color of the yolk in Texas white quails was more yellow, under the same conditions of keeping and feeding. The quality of protein in quails of both genotypes in our study was high, which indicates their suitability for incubation, and corresponds to good commercial qualities. However, it should be noted that the Pharaoh breed was inferior in HU by 3.78%, in IQU by 4.19%, and the protein index was 1.28 times less than that of the Texas quail.

Growth curve mixed nonlinear models in quails.

Our aim was to evaluate the use and application of different nonlinear mixed models, as well as to compare them with approach in nonlinear fixed models, for describing the growth curve of meat-type quails according to gender. A total of 15,002 and 15,408 records of males and females were used, respectively. The body weights were regressed on age of the animals using nonlinear models (Brody; Gompertz; Logistic, Morgan-Mercer-Flodin, Richards and Von Bertalanffy). All model parameters were considered fixed, whereas parameters related to asymptotic weight and maturity rate were fitted as random effects. The Bayesian Information Criterion was used to find the model of best fit. For both genders, the model that used the Morgan-Mercer-Flodin function with the inclusion of asymptotic weight as a random effect was considered the best-fitting model because it reduced the residual variance and increased the accuracy. Based on the lower absolute growth rate and growth velocity of male quails compared to that of females, it can be inferred that males should be slaughtered later. Given the results of this study, it can contribute to the current knowledge about animal yield, specifically at the best moment to slaughter and, this sense, improv the quality genetic of the populations in time.

Effect of using Compound Feeds with Different Protein Levels on Meat-type Quails

Background: In raising quails for meat production, great importance must be given to their nutrition, the use of the right compound feed suitable for them ensuring the achievement of higher performance. The aim of the research was to establish the influence of crude protein in compound feed on production performance in meat-type quails and their productive characterization. Methods: For the research, data were collected and statistically processed from Jumbo meat quails, youth and adults, during the years 2020 and 2021 in a farm specialized in quail growth. Result: It is recommended to use in the meat quail youth a compound feed with a protein value of 24.80% throughout the six weeks of growth because it ensures 15.00% superior performance (265.23±4.13 g/head at 42 days) compared to the reduction of the protein level at the age of 21 days from 24.80% to 22.50%. It is also recommended for laying quails to use a feed with a protein level of 21% which leads to significantly higher results (average 12-month laying percentage of 78.75±2.91%) compared to protein level of 18.20%.

Cardanol in the feeding of meat-type quail breeders.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of cardanol in the diet of quails on productive performance, egg quality, reproductive performance, and progeny performance. A total of three hundred European quail breeders of 32weeks of age, with average body weights of 305.98g, were housed in laying cages in groups (4 females and 1 male), following a distribution in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 6 replications of 10 quails, being the experimental unit constituted by the set of two cages. The treatments consisted of diets with 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00% of cardanol. There was reduction in the performance of the quail with the inclusion of 1.00% of cardanol in the diet when compared to the control treatment, while egg weight and egg mass were lower in the treatments with 0.75 and 1.00% of cardanol, respectively. It was observed that there was decrease in the specific gravity, and increase in color and TBARS value of the yolk in all treatments with cardanol. The inclusion of 0.50% of cardanol decreased the percentage of albumen, and increased the percentage of yolk, while the shell thickness decreased with 0.75%. The weight of the incubated eggs and the chick weight at hatching were lower in the treatments with 0.75 and 1.00% of cardanol. In the evaluation of the progeny performance, it was found that the weight at 7days of age of chicks from breeders fed the diet containing 1.00% of cardanol was decreased when compared to the chicks from breeders fed the control diet. It was concluded that the inclusion of cardanol did not present benefits to the quail breeders.

Levels of vitamin A supplementation for growing meat-type quails

Vitamin A is one of the fat-soluble vitamins that participates in metabolic processes of great importance and, as it is not enough produced by the body, it is essential to compose a diet. An experiment was carried the to determine the levels of vitamin A (Retinol) for meat quails ( Coturnix coturnix sp ), from 1 to 35 days of age, divided in two production periods, from 1 to 14 days and 15 to 35 days using seven different levels of vitamin A inclusion on the diets. Feed intake (FI) and accumulated body biomass (ABB) had linear effect while the body weight (BW), weight gain (WG), feed conversion (FC) showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) during the first period. The weight gain (WG) and accumulated body biomass (ABB) showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for the second period, while the body weight (BW) increased linearly on the same phase. No significant differences were observed (P > 0.05) for hematocrit (HEM), the relative values of heterophils (H), lymphocytes (L), heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H:L), serum enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and absolute liver weight (W liver). The absolute weight of Fabricius bursa (W bursa) showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05), and absolute weight spleen (W spleen) was linearly influenced. In relation to the relative weight, only the spleen (Rw spleen) was influenced by the supplementation level of supplementation, it was observed that this supplementation has little effect on immunity of meat quails of 1–14 days old. The estimating levels of vitamin A were 3.35; 3.38 and 2.11 mg/kg to the period of 1 to 14 days and 2.82 and 2.67 mg/kg to the period of 15 to 35 days, respectively.

Influence of Calcium and Nonphytate Phosphorus (NPP) on Meat-Type Quail’s Growth, Carcass Features, and Tibia Indices

This study aimed to evaluate the role of increasing dietary calcium (Ca) and non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) supplementation on the growth, carcass, edible portions, and tibia indicators of growing quail. The current study was conducted in a 3×3 factorial design, for this, 360 1-wk-old quails were haphazardly assigned to nine groups, each group is with three gradual levels of Ca (0.60, 0.90, and 1.20 %) and NPP (0.20, 0.40 and 0.60 %). Each group was divided into five replicates with eight-quail each. Results of the study suggested that except at 2 and 6 weeks of age, dietary Ca level did not exhibit any significant (P &gt; 0.05) impact on body weight. Similarly, in the case of NPP, apart from the live weight at 2 and 3 weeks of age, NPP did not have a significant impact on live body weight. Further, in comparison to the low Ca level, the moderate or high Ca levels have higher values of body weight gain. During all the experiments, dietary Ca, NPP, or their mixtures had no significant (P &gt; 0.05) impact on feed consumption. Similarly, feed conversion rate and carcass metrics were also not affected by the individual or combined application of Ca or NPP supplementation Similarly, dietary intakes of Ca or P did not have any significant effect on the various tibia indicators (P &gt; 0.05). Results of the study can be concluded that the effect of the Ca and NPP levels in Japanese quail diets is lowered and it does not much affect the growth rate, feed utilization, carcass yields, edible components, or tibia indices.

Hematological and histopathological evaluation of meat-type quails fed Madagascar cockroach meal.

Aiming at the sustainability of meat production, insects can replace traditional ingredients in the diet of poultry. Studies evaluating performance in birds have emerged to ensure this ability, but few address the health parameters of animals. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of Madagascar cockroach meal in traditional diets on hematological and histopathological traits of meat-type quails. The inclusion of Madagascar cockroach meal in the diet was evaluated in four levels: 0%, 6%, 12%, and 18%. Observations for hematological and histopathological traits from 6 repetitions on each group were recorded for both sexes at 35days of age. Hematological parameters were not influenced by Madagascar cockroach inclusion on diet and quail's sex. Red and white blood cells count were within the normal range for poultry. No significant findings were observed during the histopathological evaluation of the pancreas, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Liver fatty degeneration was visualized in all treatments in the same intensity. Quail's diets containing up to 18% insect meal during the growth period did not affect the studied health parameters, so the Madagascar cockroach meal could be considered as an alternative to a protein ingredient for poultry production.

Calcium Requirement and Vitamin D Supplementation in Meat-Type Quail at First Stage of Growth

Currently, feed formulations for quail are based on foreign data or data from other species; this undermines productivity with the use of excessive or deficient levels of some nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the nutritional requirement levels of calcium (Ca) and supplementation vitamin D in meat-type quail from 1 to 14 d of age. The experiment was a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments (levels of Ca: 0.42, 0.58, 0.74 and 0.90% and levels of vitamin D: 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 IU) with 3 replicate pens and 43 quails per pen. Weight gain increased quadratically with increased levels of Ca and vitamin D; this variable yielded estimated levels of 0.73% Ca and 2,883 IU vitamin D. There was no Ca x vitamin D interaction effect on bone variables. Bone Ca, bone phosphorus, bone ash, femoral bone strength, tibial bone strength and the femoral Seedor index increased quadratically with an increase in Ca levels. These variables yielded estimated values of 0.78, 0.71, 0.78, 0.77, 0.83, and 0.71% Ca, respectively. It is concluded that the requirements of Ca and vitamin D for the maximum weight gain of meat-type quails, in the period from one to 14 days of age, were 0.73% Ca (p=0.001) and 2,883 IU vitamin D (p=0.02), respectively.

Desempenho, qualidade da carne e lipidemia de codornas de corte alimentadas com rações contendo óleos essenciais

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effect of essential oil (ESOL) of Mentha piperita and Melaleuca alternifolia on meat-type quails. To examine performance, a completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and eight repetitions each, using seven birds per repetition. To assess lipidemia, a completely randomized design in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme was used, with four treatments and two collection conditions using eight repetitions and one bird per repetition. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, carcass yield, cholesterol, high-density lipoporteins, triglycerides, pH, and brightness of quail breast meat were assessed. The data were analyzed for homoscedasticity and normality, and the means were subjected to analysis of variance. Adding M. piperita and M. alternifolia ESOL to the diets of meat-type quails can improve performance, carcass yield, and meat quality characteristics, comparable to the use of performance-enhancing antibiotics. The use of zinc bacitracin, M. piperita, and M. alternifolia under different collection conditions did not increase the serum levels of low-density and very low-density lipoproteins. The variation coefficients measured after 12 hours of fasting were 86% lower than without fasting.

Choice of non-linear models to determine the growth curve of meat-type quail

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare non-linear models fitted to the growth curves of quail to determine which model best describes their growth and check the similarity between models by analyzing parameter estimates.Weight and age data of meat-type European quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) of three lines were used, from an experiment in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design, consisting of two metabolizable energy levels, four crude protein levels and six replicates. The non-linear Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Logistic and Gompertz models were used. To choose the best model, the Adjusted Coefficient of Determination, Convergence Rate, Residual Mean Square, Durbin-Watson Test, Akaike Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion were applied as goodness-of-fit indicators. Cluster analysis was performed to check the similarity between models based on the mean parameter estimates. Among the studied models, Richards’ was the most suitable to describe the growth curves. The Logistic and Richards models were considered similar in the analysis with no distinction of lines as well as in the analyses of Lines 1, 2 and 3.

Supplementing flaxseed oil for long periods improved carcass quality and breast fatty acid profile in Japanese quail

The efficient time for supplementing flaxseed oil to meat-type quail to produce n-3 fatty acid fortified meat has not been determined. This study was conducted to find out the effects of different periods of flaxseed oil supplementation in the Japanese quail diet on the subsequent growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acids profile of breast, and functional properties of the Japanese quail meat. Totally, 720 one-day-old Japanese quail were studied in a 35-day experiment using a completely randomized design. Substituting sunflower oil with flaxseed oil had no significant effect on weight gain and feed intake in Japanese quails. Supplementing flaxseed oil for the whole 35-day growth period significantly reduced abdominal fat proportion. Flaxseed oil addition to the quail diet just a week before slaughter resulted in a 4.97-fold increase in the n-3 fatty acid content of the breast muscle. Feeding flaxseed oil decreased the activity of delta-9-desaturase in quail's breast compared to sunflower oil. The greatest thrombogenic index observed in the breast meat from control while consumption of flaxseed oil significantly decreased the thrombogenic index. Supplementing flaxseed oil to quail's diet for 21 and 35 days before slaughter significantly increased breast malondialdehyde content. Feeding flaxseed oil for long periods had no significant impact on the breast meat pH while water holding capacity was decreased. The breast lightness was increased when the flaxseed oil was fed for longer periods. Generally, feeding flaxseed oil in the last week of the growth period improved the feed conversion ratio and the fatty acid profile of quail breast meat with the minimum deterioration effects on meat quality characteristics.

Single and combined effects of phytase and citric acid on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone characteristics, intestinal morphology, and blood components in meat-type quails fed low-phosphorous diets

Five dietary treatments were applied in a 35-day trial to evaluate the single and combined effects of phytase and citric acid on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, tibia bone mineralization, intestinal morphology, and blood parameters in growing Japanese quails fed diets with reduced content of nonphytate phosphorous (nPP). On day 1, a total of 500 quail chicks were randomly allotted to 5 treatments with 5 cages of 20 birds for each diet: PC (positive control; adequate amounts of nPP), NC (negative control; 0.12 % reduction in dietary nPP content), PHY (NC + 500 FTU phytase /kg), CA (NC + 30 g citric acid /kg), and PHY + CA (NC + phytase + citric acid). After 35 days, the body weight, average daily gain, and apparent total tract digestibility coefficients (ATTDC) of crude protein in quails fed with any of the diets were higher (P < 0.01) than those in birds fed diet NC, where the birds fed diet PHY + CA had the highest values. Quail chicks fed diets PHY and PHY + CA also had improved overall feed conversion ratio (P = 0.024) and ATTDC of phosphorous (P = 0.005) than those fed diet NC. All diets, except diet PC, resulted in the increased nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) value and ATTDC of ash and energy (P < 0.05) compared to the NC diet, where the highest AMEn was obtained using the combination of phytase and citric acid. At 35 days of age, quails fed with any of the diets had greater (P < 0.05) tibia diameter, tibia ash content, villus height (in both jejunum and ileum), villus height/crypt depth ratio (in the jejunum), and villus surface area (in the ileum), but lower (P < 0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase activity than those fed diet NC. Feeding diets PC, PHY, and PHY + CA also increased (P < 0.05) tibia phosphorous content and serum concentrations of phosphorous, albumin, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) compared with the NC diet, where quails fed diet PHY + CA had the highest tibia phosphorous content and serum PTH level. Overall, the present data indicate that the simultaneous inclusion of phytase plus citric acid in the low-nPP diets was more beneficial for improving growth performance, protein digestibility, AMEn, and bone mineralization, but not for intestinal morphology, compared with either phytase or citric acid alone in growing Japanese quails.

Inclusão de farinha de penas em dietas com redução de proteína e aminoácidos para codornas de corte

Objetivou-se avaliar a inclusão de farinha de penas (FP) em dietas reduzidas em proteína bruta (PB) e aminoácidos (AA) para codornas de corte. Foram utilizadas 240 codornas de corte machos nas fases de 8 a 21 dias e 8 a 35 dias de idade, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 3 (duas dietas: controle positivo (CP) e controle negativo (CN) reduzida em PB e AA em relação ao CP x três níveis de inclusão de FP: 0, 5 e 10%), totalizando 6 tratamentos, com 4 repetições de 10 codornas por parcela. Houve interação (P&lt;0,05) entre a inclusão de FP e as dietas para o consumo de ração na fase de 8 a 21 dias, bem como efeito da inclusão de FP e das dietas para o ganho em peso e conversão alimentar. No período de 8 a 35 dias não houve efeito (P&gt;0,05) da interação entre os fatores, mas efeito (P&lt;0,05) da inclusão da FP para o consumo de ração, e para a inclusão da FP e as dietas para ganho em peso e conversão alimentar. A utilização de FP, em qualquer nível utilizado não afetou (P&gt;0,05) as variáveis de carcaça, exceto para o rendimento de coxa + sobrecoxa (P&lt;0,05) que foi melhor com o CN. A FP pode ser utilizada em até 5% sem ocasionar danos ao desempenho das codornas. A dieta CN, com redução de PB e AA não apresenta uma boa estratégia para melhorar o desempenho das codornas.

Еconomic analysis of meat production from two types of Domestic quails

Abstract. There are two types of Japanese quails, reared in Europe – dual-purpose and meat. The aim of the present study was to made an economic analysis of fattening quails from the dual-purpose and heavy production types. Three groups were formed – group 1 (dual-purpose), groups 2 and 3 (heavy type), reared in cages. After quails sexing on the 16th day of age, there were formed six subgroups: 1m, 1f, 2m, 2f, 3m and 3f. Fattening period lasted until 35 days of age. For revenues calculation produced meat and edible offal data per m2, were used. Costs calculation include consumed feed for the period, day-old quail, and other costs. The main production costs were associated with feed and day-old quails: from 80.3 and 82.6% of all costs in the studied groups. The anticipated revenues from produce in group 2 were 10 EUR/m2 higher than those in group 1, and for group 3 – 10.21 EUR/m2 higher than group А. The results indicate that meat type quails fattening is the most economically efficient in quail meat production. Producing quail edible offal is still not developed but could be beneficial for efficiency of quail fattening small farms.

Resizing the productive characteristics of meat-type quail through principal component analysis

ABSTRACT This study aimed to establish criteria for eliminating redundant variables, to know the magnitude of the data relationship, and to provide information that helps researchers in the use of the technique to analyze and interpret production data and egg quality. The data used in this work was obtained from four successive generations of the quail lineage developed by the Department of Animal Science of the Federal University of Pelotas. The characteristics were measured from the 42nd day of age, when the egg production period began, until 126 days of production, obtaining three 28 day periods (cycles) in the four successive generations, totaling 545 females. Of the twelve original variables, only seven demonstrated potential to be maintained in future experiments, representing a 42% exclusion. The main philosophy of this study was the analysis of the studied variables and made possible the understanding of the relationship and the correlations.

Comparative study on production performances of the Japanese, White, Black and Brown quail at fifth generation

Four quail genotypes namely Japanese (J), White (W), Black (Bl) and Brown (Br) quail are being maintaining at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute to develop meat type quail genotype. Studied fifth generation (G5) quails were hatched from 4th generation (G4) parents based on estimated breeding value for 5th week body weight. Standard management practices were followed during study period. Hatching eggs were collected from every single pen of the selected parent quails. A total of 1750 day-old chick comprising of J, W, Br and Bl were hatched in one batch. Collected data were analyzed in a CRD by General Linear Model (GLM) Univariate Procedure in SPSS Computer Program. Body weight of quails at 3rd, 4th, and 6th week of age were (p&lt;0.001) influenced by genotype. The 6th week body weight was 126.51, 133.19, 130.80 and 115.40g, respectively for J, W, Br and Bl genotypes. Body weight was higher (p&lt;0.001) in W and Br followed by Bl and J quail genotypes at different age. The hatchability rate was (p&lt;0.001) higher in J (58.38%) compared to other three genotypes of W (50.30%), Br (47.79%) and Bl (46.45%), respectively. Chick mortality during 0 to 5 week age did not varied (χ2 = 2.19; p&gt;0.05) among Bl (8.78%), J (6.66%), Br (6.31%) and W (5.36%) genotypes. Comparing the performances, W quail was superior for body weight and Bl quail for egg production.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. of Livestock Res. 21-25: 65-68, 2018

Digestible Threonine to Lysine Ratios for Meat-Type Quails

ABSTRACT Three experiments were conducted to estimate the optimal digestible threonine to lysine ratios (Thr:Lys) of meat-type quails during the pre-starter (1 to 7 days), starter (8 to 14 days) and grower I (15 to 21 days) phases. In each experiment, 600 birds were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design into five treatments, consisting of five dietary Thr:Lys ratios (0.66, 0.71, 0.76, 0.81 and 0.86%), with eight replicates of 15 quails each. Performance parameters and intestinal morphology were evaluated. During the pre-starter phase, feed intake, threonine intake, weight gain, and ileal villus height linearly increased (p<0.01) as dietary digestible Thr:Lys increased. During the starter phase, increasing digestible Thr:Lys ratios had a linear effect (p<0.01) on threonine intake and livability, and linear and quadratic effects (p<0.01) on feed intake. During the grower I phase, increasing digestible Thr:Lys ratios promoted linear increase in threonine intake and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05), and a linear decrease in weight gain. The estimated digestible Thr:Lys ratios recommended for meat-type quails are 0.85, 0.73 and 0.66%, for the pre-starter, starter and grower I phases, respectively.