The influence of different stocking density and sex on productive performance and some physiological traits of Japanese quail.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of various stocking density and sex on productive performance, some physiological traits, which are greatly correlated with the quail performance, tibia measurements, tibia calcium and phosphorous contents and other traits of Japanese quail during the fattening period extended from 7 to 42 days of age. A total number of 960 Japanese quail chicks were used in this study. The quail were kept in cages with a stocking density of 70 Cm 2 /birds (143 birds/m 2 ), 100 Cm 2 /birds (100 birds /m 2 ) and 130 Cm 2 /birds (77 birds /m 2 ) and each group was represented by 3 replicates. Live body weight and body gain were recorded. Also feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate. The obtained data indicated that live body weight, weight gain, feed consumption were significantly (P ≤0.05) increased when quail kept at 77 bird /m 2 , followed in a significant decreasing order by those kept at 100 birds /m 2 or those kept at 143 birds/m 2 . Data of feed conversion ratio was best for quails kept at 77 bird /m 2 , followed by quails stocked at 100 birds /m 2 and those stocked at 143 birds/m 2 . Also mortality rate was significantly (P≤ 0.05) lower for quails stocked at 77 bird /m 2 as compared with those kept at 100 birds /m 2 or birds kept at 143 birds/m 2 . Females of Japanese quails recorded significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher values for their weights, gain and feed consumption as compared with their males. The effects of stocking density and sex were to be statistically (P≤ 0.05) significant for all physiological traits i.e., heart rate, respiration rate, rectal body temperature and skin body temperature, where these traits significantly (P≤ 0.05) decreased, when quails stocked at 77 birds /m 2 as compared with other stocking density. Females of quail showed the highest physiological traits as compared with their males. Concerning blood plasma parameters data raveled that insignificant differences were observed among stocking density groups for total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, lipids and triglycerides, while there were significant (P ≤0.05) increase of aspartate aminotranseferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total plasma Abdel-Azeem, F.Abdel-Azeem 204 calcium and alkaline phosphates for quails stocked at 77 birds /m 2 as compared with other stocking density. Also insignificant differences were observed between females and males for total plasma protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, lipids and triglyceride; while females of Japanese quail recorded significantly (P≤0.05) higher values of AST, ALT, total plasma calcium and alkaline phosphates as compared with their males. In this respect, there were significant differences were observed for most carcass characteristics among stocking density groups. Regarding with tibia weight, tibia length, tibia width, tibia ash percentage, and tibia calcium and tibia phosphorous (% of ash). The obtained data indicated that there were significant increases of these traits for Japanese quails kept at 77 bird/m 2 as compared with the birds kept at 100 birds /m 2 or those stocked at 143 birds/m 2 . While tibia dyschondroplasia (TD) significantly decreased for Japanese quails stocked at 77 bird/m 2 , followed by quails kept at 100 birds /m 2 , then those kept at 143 birds/m 2 . However, females showed the highest values of tibia weight, tibia length, tibia width, tibia ash, tibia calcium, tibia phosphorous and tibia dyschondroplasia (TD) as compared with their males. Results also indicated that there were insignificant (P≤0.05) differences were detected for carcass chemical composition as affected by different stocking density or sex. Consequently, it was concluded that breeding of quails in cages with a stocking density of 77 birds /m 2 might yields better results, when compared with quails stocked at 100 birds /m 2 or those kept at 143 birds/m 2 .