Beak-trimming methods and their effect on the performance of japanese quail pullets (Coturnix japonica)

This study aimed at verifying if beak-trimming methods in Japanese quail pullets could optimize production by decreasing stress caused by cannibalism. A total number of 816 day-old Japanese quails was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with two beak-trimming ages (14 and 21 days of age) and three beak-trimming sizes (not trimmed, 1/3 trimmed, or 1/2 trimmed), and 4 replicates of 34 birds per replicate. Birds were submitted to the same management and feeding conditions. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were evaluated. There was no significant effect of age at beak trimming on the evaluated parameters (P>0.05), as well as no significant interaction between age at beak trimming, and beak-trimming method. There was a significant effect (P<0.01) of trimming size on performance, with the best performance observed in birds not submitted to beak trimming or had 1/2 of the beak trimmed. When the beak was more aggressively trimmed (1/2), parameters were worse. According to the obtained results, it is recommended to trim 1/3 of the beaks, which can be performed either at 14 or 21 days of age.

Salmonella enteritidis in the eggs of Japanese quails (coturnix coturnix Japonica - Temminck & Schlegel, 1849) fed diets with different calcium and phosphorus levels

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Photostimulation of japanese quail

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of divergent selection for growth on egg quality traits in Japanese quail

The experiment was designed to investigate the impact of selection for increased body mass on external and internal egg quality traits of Japanese quail. Three hundred and sixty Japanese quail, divergently selected over three generations for different body mass at 4 weeks of age, were used. Quail were homogeneously divided into three groups each consisting of 120 birds: high body mass (HBM), low body mass (LBM) and Control. ANOVA was used to detect the effect of selection on egg quality. In addition, correlation between external and internal egg quality traits was measured. Our results revealed thatHBMquail laid heavier eggs (P = 0.03 compared with LBM but not significantly different with Control quail) with a higher external (shell thickness, shell weight, eggshell ratio and eggshell density, P = 0.0001) and internal egg quality score (albumen weight, P = 0.003; albumen ratio, P = 0.01; albumen height, yolk height, yolk index and Haugh unit, P = 0.0001) when compared with both the Control and LBM. The egg surface area and yolk diameter were significantly higher in HBM when compared with the LBM but not with the Control line. Egg weight was positively correlated with albumen weight (r = 0.54, P = 0.0001), albumen ratio (r = 0.14, P = 0.05), yolk height (r = 0.27, P = 0.0001), yolk weight (r = 0.23, P = 0.002), yolk diameter (r = 0.14, P = 0.05) and yolk index (r = 0.21, P = 0.005) but was negatively correlated with yolk ratio (r = –0.16, P = 0.03). Our results indicate that selection for higher body mass might result in heavier eggs and superior egg quality.

Efeitos da temperatura de incubação e da idade da matriz no desenvolvimento in ovo, qualidade, desempenho e produção de ovos da progênie de codornas japonesas

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Detecção de Salmonella Enteritidis em ovos de codornas japonesas submetidas a dietas com diferentes níveis de cálcio e fósforo

The eggs are pointed in several studies as the main cause of human salmonellosis. Have been identified that eggs are eaten raw or poorly processed are mainly responsible for outbreaks of human infection with Salmonella spp. Besides causing problems to public health, the presence of bacteria impedes or hinders the international food trade, as a sanitary barrier. Several factors predisposing to contamination of the internal contents of eggs for Salmonella spp., including the egg shell quality (shell quality), which is related to levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in the diet of quails . The experiment used eggs of Japanese quail under different diets containing two levels of Ca (2.0 and 3.5%) and two levels of available P (0.25 and 0.45%). Eggs of 120 japanese quails were divided into four treatments with three replicates. The experiment was divided into three production stages: initial, intermediate and final. Were assessed at each stage the presence of bacteria in internal and external content of experimentally contaminated eggs during periods of 0, 24, 96 and 168 hours after immersion in broth containing Salmonella Enteriditis. Salmonella Enteriditis was detected in the shell during all periods of storage, in decreasing amounts in all treatments. None of the treatments within the three production stages analyzed, we detected significant amounts of the bacteria inside the egg, in our experimental conditions. Therefore, the levels of Ca and P in the diets of quail do not determine higher or lower risks to public health represented by eggs

Turnover do δ¹³C na substituição de dietas com ingredientes de diferentes ciclos fotossintéticos em ovos de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Traceability of animal meals in Japanese quail eggs using the technique of 13C e 15N* stable isotopes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of dietary organic selenium and zinc on the internal egg quality of quail eggs for different periods and under different temperatures

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The effects of gravity on the development of otolith organs in the Japanese quail

This paper examines the detailed embryologic development of the otolith organs, part of the vestibular system responsible for balance, in Japanese quail. The data from this study will provide baseline data for comparison with experiments conducted by NASA during space flight.