Quail Production Research Articles

Manipulation of Avian Primordial Germ Cells and Gonadal Differentiation

The authors hypothesized that donor primordial germ cells (PGC) are useful as vehicles of gene transfer in birds. The PGC have been identified in the blastula prior to incubation. They have been isolated from the Stage 7 germinal crescents. Stage 17 blood, and Stage 30 gonads. The percentages of PGC in these three embryonic sources were 2, .003 and 1.5%, respectively. The isolated PGC have been used as antigens to produce specific antibodies that have served as major tools in identification, isolation, and forming enriched in vitro cultures of PGC. Sterile hosts for normal donor PGC have been induced by use of ultraviolet irradiation, treatment with the chemical busulfan, and crossing rooster with female quail to form a sterile host termed “quickens.” Micromanipulator technology, along with refinement of techniques to avoid trauma, will allow 80% hatchability. Integration of all the above biotechnology has led to successful use of PGC as vehicles of gene transfer and production of autogenic quail.

Use of High Levels of Dietary Aluminum and Zinc for Inducing Pauses in Egg Production of Japanese Quail

The effect of using a high level of dietary aluminum (.3% Al, as aluminum sulfate) was compared with that of using dietary zinc (1.5% Zn as zinc oxide) for force molting Japanese quail hens. A basal diet (2.5% Ca and .35% available P) was fed alone or supplemented with Zn or Al for 7 days in Trial 1 and for 4 days in Trial 2. Light was maintained at 16 h light (L):8 h dark (D) in Trial 1 and reduced to 8L:16D during Days 1 to 14 in Trial 2. In Trial 1, feed intake averaged 23, 11, and 7 g/hen/day during Days 1 through 7 for the control, Al, and Zn treatments, respectively. Both the Al and Zn treatments significantly (P<.05) reduced body weight. In both trials, egg production approached 0% by Days 3 and 5 for hens in the Zn and Al treatments, respectively. In Trial 2, egg shell breaking strength was significantly (P<.05) reduced by dietary Al and Zn. Aluminum significantly reduced plasma inorganic P, measured on Day 5.In Trial 3, diets containing graded levels (0, .05, .10, or .15%) of Al were fed to Japanese quail hens for 28 days. Both .10% and .15% Al significantly (P<.05) reduced egg shell breaking strength during Days 8 through 12 and body weight at Day 28. Feeding .15% Al significantly reduced feed intake and egg production.Results demonstrated that high levels of dietary Al can negatively affect egg production of Japanese quail. If dietary Al is present in high enough amounts, it can induce pauses in egg production, possibly through its effect on feed intake, P metabolism, or both.

The Japanese Poultry Industry

The Japanese poultry industry comprises major egg, broiler and quail production sectors with little turkey and duck production. The annual egg output of 2.1m t is the fourth largest in the world, w...

A model for drought inhibition of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) reproductive systems

1. 1. Bobwhite quail given water-restriction treatments of 60, 40, 20 or 0% of ad lib consumption (100%) had 1.4-, 1.8-, 4.1-and 5.9-fold increases, respectively, in plasma corticosterone (B) when compared to controls (2.7 ng/ml). 2. 2. Dietary B doses of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/day/bird resulted in 1.2-, 2.1-, 4.1- and 6.3-fold increases in plasma B concentrations, respectively. Similar results were obtained with daily B injections indicating about 10% dietary absorption efficiency. 3. 3. Dietary B doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ng/day caused significant decreases in testes weights and sperm production of male quail. 4. 4. All doses of dietary B reduced egg laying in female quail; no eggs were laid by hens fed 1.0 or 2.0 ng/day. Ovary and oviduct weights were also depressed. 5. 5. A model for drought-induced reproductive failure in quail was developed using dietary B doses which mimicked plasma B levels during dehydration but without inducing water-balance complications.

Influence of Ambient Temperature and Wind Velocity on Egg Production of Japanese Quail

日本ウズラの産卵におよぼす温度および風速の影響を実験するために,飼育室の温度が24°C, 27°C, 30°Cのそれぞれに,毎秒入気風速0.0m, 0.4m(1羽1分当り通気量0.037m3), 0.8m(同通気量0.112m3)の3水準ををわりつけて9実験区を設定し,3反復により乱塊二元配置計画により産卵試験を行なった。日本ウズラの飼育は一般に群飼により行なわれているので,上•下•両側の外枢で囲まれている慣用の群飼飼育器前面に,風道を通して前記の風速で送風した。得られた実験データの解析は分散分析によった。その結果,1) 産卵率は,無風のときには24°Cと27°Cが高く,両温度間に有意差はなく,30°Cでは低くかった。この無風のときと比較して0.4m, 0.8mの風があるときの産卵率は,27°C下では変化がなく,24°C下では低下し,30°C下は高くなった。なお,24°Cおよび30°C下の0.4mに対する0.8mの低下および高い傾向は有意でなかった。2) 無風のときの卵重は,産卵率の温度による変化と同様に,24°Cと27°Cは大きく,30°Cでは小さかった。この無風時の卵重は,0.4mの風により増大した。しかし0.8mに風速を増しても有意な卵重変化はなかった。3) 飼料摂取量は,0.0m, 0.4m, 0.8mの各風速時に24°Cから30°Cに温度が高くなると直線的に減少し,いずれの温度のときでも風により摂取量は0.0m<0.4m〓0.8mの関係で増加した。4) 飼料効率は,24°Cより27°Cが高く,30°Cでは27°Cと有意差はなかった。飼料効率はまた,風速増加につれて低下したが,この低下は温度が高い程にぶい傾向があった。5) 飲水量は温度が高くなるにつれて直線的に増加し,風速の増加により直線的に減少した。6) 24°Cのときの風は産卵率と飼料効率を低下させるので有害無益である。27°Cのときに0.4mの風がある条件は,産卵率と卵重に最適であるが,飼料効率は無風時より低くなる。30°Cのときには,風がないと産卵率,卵重に最も悪い条件となる。このとき0.4mの風があれば,飼料効率の低下は極小にして産卵率と卵重を改善することができる。

Midbrain regions involved in call production of Japanese quail

The midbrain areas that yielded calling with the smallest currents were within the nucleus intercollicularis and isthmi complex. Natural calls were evoked, but they could not be localized. Rather, some calls were more easily evoked than others.

Influence of Dietary Levels of Protein and Energy on Nitrogen and Energy Balance for Egg Production of Japanese Quail

A nitrogen and energy balance experiment was carried out to clarify the influence of dietary levels of protein and energy on the utilization of nitrogen and energy in diets for the egg production of Japanese quail. In this experiment, 360 three-month old quail were divided into 12 groups and fed for 60 days 12 designed diets of CP content (%) and ME value (kcal/g) as 14-2.7, 14-3.0, 16-2.7, 16-3.0, 18-2.7, 18-3.0, 21-2.7, 21-3.0, 21-3.3, 24-2.7, 24-3.0, 24-3.3. A variance analysis for the analysis of data obtained were used. The following results were obtained:1) The changes of protein content and energy value in diets did not influence the nitrogen content and energy value in the whole egg, in which was contained an average 1.88±0.02% of nitrogen and an average 1.59±0.03kcal per g.2) Feed intake, egg production rate, egg weight, feed efficiency and body weight increased with increasing levels of CP from 14% to 24%. The effect of ME levels for each of the above egg production characteristics differed with the CP content. Feed intake decreased and feed efficiency increased with the level-up of ME from 2.7kcal to 3.0 and 3.3. For the egg production rate, egg weight and body weight, the effect of 2.7kcal was greater than 3.0 in the range of 14% to 21, and in the level of 24% no difference among ME levels was found.3) The nitrogen conversion rate in eggs lowered with increasing the level-up of CP content, whereas the increasing of ME level brought about an increase of the rate. The nitrogen retention rate in bodys did not differ with the feed compsitions, so that for the nitrogen excretion rate, the reverse relation of the nitrogen conversion rate in eggs was found.4) The energy conversion rate in eggs increased with the level-up of CP content in contrast with the nitrogen conversion rate in eggs. The effect of ME levels for the rate was 2.7kcal higher than 3.0 in the range of 14% to 18 of CP, and in the range of 21% to 24 no difference was found among the ME levels. The energy retention rate in bodys was only 0 to 2%, but it increased with the level-up of CP and ME. From the above changes, the rate of heat loss decreased from 79% to 72 with the level-up of CP, in contrast with the energy conversion rate and the energy retention rate.5) In the case of the diet of 14 per cent CP in which has a lower protein content and a larger calorie-protein ratio, a nitrogen balance was maintained at positive and an energy balance at equilibrium. In this case the poorer egg production was observed. It is considered that the above thing shows that the ingested protein and energy was consumed preferentially for maintenance of body, and the remainder of that for egg production. A laying diet for quail must give her the highest laying performance with relatively higher utilization of nitrogen and energy. From the above results it is said that the CP and ME composition which has the above functions are 24% and 3.0kcal.

Egg Production and Body Weight Changes of Japanese Quail and Leghorn Hens Following Deprivation of Either Supplementary Calcium or Vitamin D3

Dietary deprivation of supplementary calcium or vitamin D3 did not affect the body weight of female or male coturnix or Leghorn hens, even though feed consumption was significantly reduced. The egg production was reduced from about 74% to about 10% and 20% in the calcium deprived and the vitamin D3 deprived coturnix hens, respectively. Leghorn hens reduced their egg production from about 60% to about 25% on vitamin D3 deprivation, but virtually ceased egg production on calcium deprivation. The dietary deficiencies resulted in reduced egg weight, shell thickness, and female tibia ash of coturnix while not influencing ovarian and oviductal weights or testis weights and tibia ash of males. Each of Leghorn hens deprived of dietary calcium had thinner shells within 2 weeks, whereas in the vitamin D3 deprived hens shell thinning occurred within 3 weeks, but yolk weights were significantly heavier in this group. Plasma calcium, ovary weight, and oviduct weight were significantly reduced in Leghorn hens deprived of calcium, but not vitamin D3.

Inffuence of Ambient Temperature on Egg Production of Japanese Quail

Inffuence of Ambient Temperature on Egg Production of Japanese Quail

Influence of Level of Protein and Energy of Rearing Diet on Growth, Feed Efficiency and Egg Production of Japanese Quail

Two experiments were carried out to clarify the influence of levels of protein and energy in rearing diet on the growth and egg production characteristics of Japanese quail. In experiment 1-1, 810 day-old quail were divided into 9 groups, accommodated in electrical brooders designed for nutritional experiment and were fed for a 5 weeks 9 designed diets of CP content (%) and ME value (kcal/g) as 18-2.7, 18-3.0, 18-3.3, 22-2.7, 22-3.0, 22-3.3, 26-2.7, 26-3.0, 26-3.3. After a 5 weeks rearing term, quail were fed a commercial laying diet for 7 months, and egg production characteristics were compared among the rearing dietary treatments. In experiment 1-2, nitrogen and energy retention with growth of 162 dayold quail were compared among the above dietary treatments. In experiment 2, 9 experimental diets as 20-2.7, 20-3.2, 20-3.7, 27-2.7, 27-3.2, 27-3.7, 34-2.7, 34-3.2, 34-3.7 were fed to 810 day-old quail for a 5 week's rearing term, and after that the egg production for 7 months by a commercial laying diet was compared among the rearing dietary treatments. A variance analysis and an estimation of response surface were used for the analysis of data obtained. The results were as follows:1) It was shown that the body weight gain was increased by step-down with increasing the level-up of CP from 18% to 26% in experiment 1 and from 20% to 32% in experiment 2. On the other hand, the increase in dietary ME level was effective until about 3.2kcal to the gain. The composition of CP and ME in which the maximum body weight gain was obtained was estimated to be 28.4% and 3.2kcal and 32.2% and 3.1kcal in experiment 1 and 2, respectively.2) The improvement of the feed efficiency with the level-up of ME from 2.7kcal to 3.3 and 3.7 was significant, and it was improved by step-down. While, increasing the level-up of CP was effective until 22% and 27. The more level-up than that did not bring about any change of the efficiency.3) When three diets as 18-3.3, 18-3.0, 18-2.7 were fed, the laying onset was delayed, and the lower egg production rate was observed for the first 2 months. After the third month, no lower rate was observed. However, the above inferiority had a little influence on the result of egg production during the experimental term of 7 months. When three diets as 20-3.7, 20-3.2 and 20-2.7 were fed, almost the same delay of laying onset and the same lower rate for the first 2 months as by the above diets was also observed. In this case, the above inferiority had no influence on the result of egg production during the term.4) From the above result, it is said that the composition of CP and ME in which the maximum body weight gain of Japanese quail with higher feed efficiency is obtained were 28% to 32 and 3.1kcal to 3.2. A rearing diet of layer must give her the highest laying performance with relatively high growth rate and feed efficiency. Through experiment 1 and 2, within the range below 20% CP a delay of laying onset and a poor production for 2 months was observed. The CP content when the laying onset was not late was a higher level than 22%. Threfore, at a minimum 22% of CP, 3.0kcal in which higher growth rate and feed efficiency were obtained is recommended.

Influence of Dietary Levels of Fiber and Fat on Laying Performance of Japanese Quail

Two experiments were carried out to clarify the influence of dietary levels of fiber and fat on the egg production of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). In experiment 1, 120 quails of 5 months old were divided into 3 groups and fed three designed diets which serially increase the fiber and fat contents as 3-3%, 6-6%, and 9-9% but fixed the protein and ME value to 21% and 2.7kcal/g respectively. In experiment 2, 9 experimental diets of fiber-fat proportion as 3-3, 3-6, 3-9, 6-3, 6-6, 6-9, 9-3, 9-6, 9-9 with the protein and ME value fixed to 22% and 2.5kcal/g were fed during 3 months to 432 quails of 4 months old. For the regulation of fiber and fat contents, saw-dust and lard were used. The results were as follows:1. In the case of feeding with the diet involving a fixed protein content and ME value, changes of fiber and fat contents did not influence the feed consumption, egg production rate and feed efficiency of laying quail.2. The egg weight increased as the fat content in diets increased. The regression equation is shown as follows:Y=9.631+0.075X in experiment 1 andY=9.495+0.088X in experiment 2respectively, where Y is egg weight (g) and X is fat content (%). As the equation indicate, however, the level-up of 1% of fat content increase the egg weight as little as 0.08g and therefore the level-up brings no significant change of the feed efficiency.

P,p-DDT and p,p'-DDE effects on egg production, eggshell thickness, and reproduction of Japanese quail.

p,p' -DDT and p,p' -DDE were investigated for effects on egg production and eggshell thickness in Japanese quail. p,p' -DDT was examined for effects on hatchability and fertility. DDE was tested at 0, 2, 10, 40, and 200 ppm in the diet. No evidence suggested that DDE affected number of eggs laid, egg weight, or eggshell thickness at any level of DDE tested. DDT was tested at 1,2.5, 10 and 40 ppm in the diet. In one experiment, quail fed DDT at 40 ppm and caged in male-female pairs broke more eggs than quail caged similarly but fed lower amounts of DDT or than quail fed an equal amount of DDT but caged alone. DDT did not detectably reduce eggshell thickness, number of eggs laid, fertility, or hatchability. However, paired quail laid fewer eggs than did single quail in two experiments and laid eggs with thinner shells in one experiment.

Some characteristics of the egg shells of quail fed gamma‐BHC

AbstractThe effects of feeding a diet containing gamma‐BHC at a level of 200 mg/kg on various aspects of egg production and egg shell quality of the Japanese quail were studied. No adverse effects were observed on rate or pattern of egg production, egg size, shell thickness, calcium content, shearing strength or structure as seen through the scanning electron microscope.

Effect of Molded Rice on Egg Production of Japanese Quail

Two samples of rice artificially molded with Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and pure aflatoxin B1 were fed to total 274 laying Japanese quail for 12 days to compare the effect of molded rice on the egg production of quail with that of pure aflatoxin B1.Content of aflatoxin B1 in molded rice was determined by densitometry after developing the extract on thin-layer chromatogram at 4 laboratories at 2 different times.Coefficient of variation among the six estimates of aflatoxin B1 was 43 and 41% for Samples 1 and 2, respectively, which were comparable with those reported in the literatures.Daily feed intake and egg production of quail fed molded rice decreased in inverse proportion to the dietary level of molded rice. Those of quail fed pure aflatoxin B1 also tended to decrease proportionally though much slowly.On the working hypothesis that the response of quail to molded rice is simply and only correlated with the content of aflatoxin B1 in molded rice, analyses of regression and covariance were carried out on the performance of quail and dietary aflatoxin B1 level. No difference was observed statistically between two regression lines corresponding to Samples 1 and 2, respectively, so that these two lines were amalgamated into one line. The amalgamated line was found different significantly from the regression line on pure aflatoxin B1. The findings were true with both feed intake and egg production of the quail.From the ratio between two regression coefficients, one for pure aflatoxin B1 and the other for molded rice, it was calculated that the injurious effect of aflatoxin B1 in molded rice to egg production and feed intake was about four times stronger than that of pure aflatoxin B1 on iso-aflatoxin B1 level, suggesting the presence of an unknwon factor or factors in molded rice.Both molded rice and pure aflatoxin B1 increased liver weight within 12 days of experimental period though the effect was not confirmed statistically.No residue of aflatoxin B1 in the egg laid on the control diet and on the diets containing the highest level of molded rice and pure aflotoxin B1 was detected. The threshold sensitivity of the detection was 20ppb.

Note on the Effect of Aflatoxin on Growing Chicks and Laying Quail

Rice powder, on which Aspergillus flavus was cultivated, was fed to laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and one-day-old male White Leghorn chicks as the preliminary experiment to compare the effect of aflatoxin on chicks and quails.Although the number of the chicks was only 20 in total, it was apparent that the feed intake for 7 weeks was in inverse proportion to the dietary level of rice powder. The decrcase of feed intake reflected on slow growth rate. However, contrary to the expectation, neither the enlargement of the liver, pancrease and spleen nor the regression of the bursa of Fabricius was observed. Cultivation of A. flavus lowered metabolizable energy of rice by about 10%.Average egg production of 21 quails for 14 days was in inverse proportion to the dietary level of rice powder, suggesting that egg production of quail is a good criterion to estimate the biological activity of aflatoxin. Between the quails on the control and those on the diet containing 40% of rice powder, little difference was observed in weight of the liver, pancreas and spleen.

Effects of Dietary p,p′-DDT and p,p′-DDE on Egg Production and Egg Shell Characteristics of Japanese Quail Receiving an Adequate Calcium Diet

We reported earlier that Japanese quail fed a low (0.56%) calcium diet containing 100 p.p.m. p,p′-DDT laid eggs with thinner shells and less calcium in the shell (Bitman et al., 1969). Since the effect of the DDT might be augmented by the calcium stress during egg laying, the present study follows the effects of DDT and DDE on egg production and egg shell quality in Japanese quail fed an adequate calcium diet.PROCEDUREForty-two virgin Japanese quail, 39 days old were distributed randomly into three groups of fourteen and placed in individual cages on a regime of 14 hours light and 10 hours dark. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The control group received a diet containing 2.7% calcium. Nelson et al. (1964) reported 2.5 to 3% calcium to be adequate for breeding Coturnix quail. The groups on p,p′-DDT or p,p′-DDE received the same diet modified by the addition…

Bobwhite Quail Production

This publication was developed to assist the seasoned quail producer, as well as to provide a sound base for the novice. It should provide basic information needed in the production of quail for a hobby or for business. This document is CIR879, one of a series of the Department of Animal Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published August 2003.&#x0D; https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps017

A comparative toxicologic study of a phosphorodithioate in Japanese and bobwhite quail

Guthion had a significant effect on growth of female but not male Japanese quail at a dietary level of 540 ppm; with bobwhite, growth was significantly reduced at 20 ppm. All birds of both species died during the first 10 days of feeding at 1620 ppm. With bobwhite, 80% mortality was obtained at 540 ppm and 30% at 180 ppm whereas there was no increase above normal in mortality of Japanese quail at 180 ppm or 540 ppm. Egg production of Japanese quail was delayed and markedly reduced at 540 ppm; total egg hatchability at 180 and 540 ppm was somewhat lower than obtained in the control birds. Whole blood or brain cholinesterase of both species was inhibited after 4 and 10 weeks at 60 ppm; there was somewhat greater inhibition in bobwhite. Results indicate that bobwhite quail were more sensitive to Guthion than Japanese quail.

Effect of organic compounds on reproductive processes: IV. Response of Japanese quail to alkylating agents

Chemosterilant chemicals were evaluated for their effects on body weight, feed consumption, egg production, reproduction, and mortality of adult Japanese quail based on a 2-week compound feeding period. Acute toxicity values to mice were also determined. Birds fed N,N′-bis(aziridinylacetyl)-1,8-octamethylenediamine at the lowest dietary level of 250 ppm lost weight associated with marked decreases in feed consumption, egg production, and high mortality. The acute LD 50 value to male mice was 1070 (768–1490) mg/kg following oral intubation and 88 (60–130) mg/kg following intraperitoneal injection. Birds fed N,N′-bis(aziridinylacetyl)-1,4- trans-cyclohexylmethylamine at 125 ppm lost weight but showed no significant decrease in feed consumption or egg production; egg fertility and hatchability were markedly inhibited but returned to normal during a 4-week recovery period. At 250 ppm, body weight, feed consumption, and egg production decreased markedly but increased during the recovery period. A high mortality rate was observed at 500 ppm. The acute toxicity to mice was 71 mg/kg following oral intubation and 45 (38–53) mg/kg following intraperitoneal injection. Apholate at 125 ppm produced only marginal effects on body weight and feed consumption, but egg production was reduced; egg hatchability and fertility were completely inhibited, but increased during the recovery period. At 250 ppm, only slight decreases in body weight, feed consumption, and egg production were observed in one trial whereas marked decreases were obtained in the second trial. A few birds were found dead at 500 ppm, but the mortality rate was high at 1000 ppm

Effect of Vitamin A on Growth, Egg Production and Reproduction of Japanese Quail

THE Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) continues to receive increasing emphasis as a research animal since it grows rapidly, matures at an early age, and is a prolific egg producer. Although the Japanese quail has been advocated for many areas of avian research (Shellenberger and Newell, 1965), only limited information is available on its nutritional requirements.Fox and Harrison (1964) and Kienholtz et al. (1965) used these birds in a study of zinc deficiency and absorption. Nelson et al. (1964) have investigated calcium and phosphorus requirements of the adult bird, while Howes (1965) reported on the protein-energy interrelationships for the growing and adult Japanese quail. However, vitamin requirements of this species apparently have not been reported. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of vitamin A on growth, egg production, and reproduction of the Japanese quail.EXPERIMENTAL METHODSNewly hatched Japanese quail chicks from a stock colony maintained at …