Japanese Quail

1. This study was conducted to determine the effects of hempseed (HS) on performance, egg traits, serum lipid profile and antioxidant activity in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). 2. A total of 120 eight-week old laying quail were divided into 4 experimental groups with 10 replicates. The treatments were as follows: 1) Control diet (C, no HS in the diet); 2) 5% HS in the diet (HS5); 3) 10% HS in the diet (HS10); and 4) 20% HS in the diet (HS20). The quail were fed the experimental diets from 8 to 14 weeks of age. 3. There was no significant difference in body weight (BW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the birds overall in the experiment. The egg production was not influenced by the HS contents in the diet; however the HS10 diet increased egg weight and egg specific gravity. The carcass traits were not affected by the HS contents. 4. The serum triglyceride, cholesterol and the high density lipoprotein (HDL) were not significantly altered; however, low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration in HS supplemented groups were lower than that of the C group. 5. The MDA, SOD, CAT and NO concentrations were not significantly affected but in the HS10 and HS20 GSH-Px concentration was higher than in the C and HS5 groups. 6. The omega-3 fatty acid content of eggs increased linearly with increasing dietary HS content in the diet. 7. In conclusion, HS could be a potential feed and health benefit as a natural antioxidant in relation to decreasing serum LDL and increasing GSH-Px concentration in the liver of laying quail.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to know the production performance and economic analysis in quail which use probiotic supplementation to alternate antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) to feed consumption, water consumption, egg production, egg mass, feed conversion, and feed efficiency. Materials and Methods: About 240 quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at 14 weeks of age were completely randomized into four treatments, each treatment consisted of six replications and each replication consisted by 10 heads. The treatment was T0 (organic feed without AGP and without probiotic), T1 (organic feed + 0.001% AGP), T2 (organic feed + 0.005% probiotic in feed), and T3 (organic feed + 0.005% probiotic in drinking water). The probiotic consist of 1.2×10 5 CFU/g of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Results: The results showed that the probiotic supplementation both in feed and water give a significant impact to feed consumption, water intake, feed conversion, feed efficiency, and quail day production, but no statistical difference of egg mass. The T3 also show the most profitable business analysis, which has the best result in income, profit, break-even point, return cost ratio, benefit-cost ratio, and return on investment. Conclusion: It can be concluded that giving 0.005% probiotic in drinking water to get the best egg production and profit.

Resumen:

El sector coturnicultor costarricense está en proceso de desarrollo; aún no se han documentado en la literatura aspectos productivos, económicos, de mercado o comercialización asociados al mismo. El objetivo de este trabajo es generar información sobre la comercialización y el consumo del huevo de codorniz en Costa Rica. La investigación tuvo lugar entre enero y diciembre del 2019 en la Gran Área Metropolitana costarricense. Se realizaron consultas a 14 productores con respecto al entorno comercial, a la vez que se evaluaron las pautas de consumo de huevo de codorniz en una muestra de 300 personas. La mayoría de los productores (10) se dedican a la producción exclusiva de huevo en sistemas productivos que mayoritariamente no superan las 200 aves (11), principalmente alojadas en jaulas artesanales (10), y donde el uso de registros productivos no se ha implementado (11). Se emplea esencialmente alimento para gallinas de producción (13), sin distinción de la etapa productiva del ave (11), sin un manejo reproductivo en seis de los casos o bien empleando cruces consanguíneos (5). El huevo se comercializa principalmente en empaques de 24 huevos ($2,42 por empaque) y en conservas de 200 g ($2,5). En términos de compra, la mayoría de los consumidores expresó no adquirir el huevo de codorniz (74%), siendo el consumo esporádico aún entre quienes si lo obtienen (51,4% una vez al mes). La presentación preferida de compra es el huevo fresco empacado (46,8%), que es preparado principalmente como huevo duro hervido (66,2%). La producción y consumo de huevo de codorniz en Costa Rica se encuentra poco tecnificada y diversificada, lo cual concuerda con un perfil de productores pequeños y un bajo consumo.

Abstract:

Consumption and sale of quail eggs in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican coturniculture sector is yet in development. Production, economic or marketing aspects associated with the activity have not been previously documented in the existing literature. The objective of this study is to generate information about marketing and consumption patterns of quail eggs in Costa Rica. The investigation took place between January and December 2019 in the Greater Costa Rican Metropolitan Area. Survey was applied to 14 producers evaluating the commercial environment, while the consumption patterns of quail egg were evaluated in a sample of 300 people. Most of the producers (10) are dedicated to the exclusive production of eggs mostly in farms that do not exceed 200 birds (11), mainly housed in artisanal cages (10), where the use of production records has not been implemented (11). They essentially use poultry feed (13) without distinction of the productive stage of the bird (11), without reproductive management in six of the cases, or using consanguineous crosses (5). The egg is sold mainly in packages of 24 units ($2.42 each package) and canned 200 g ($2.5). In terms of purchase, most consumers expressed that they don´t purchase quail eggs (74%), with sporadic consumption even among those who do obtain it (51.4% once a month). When purchased, the preferred presentation the fresh packaged egg (46.8%) and is prepared mainly as hardboiled egg (66.2%). The production and consumption of quail eggs in Costa Rica is low-tech and low diversified, which is consistent with a profile of small producers and low consumption patterns.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of essential oil of Lavandula stoechas (Lavender) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and health status of quails.

Materials and Methods: A group of 600 1-day-old Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix japonica), with an average weight of 6.8±0.2 g and a 1:1 sex ratio, were randomly assigned to four groups (150 chicks/group): three experimental groups which depend on the incorporation of lavender oil (LO) in the different phases of breeding and one control group. The experimental groups received a supplement of 1 g LO per kg of feed distributed sequentially throughout the entire 42-day breeding period.

Results: No deaths were recorded throughout the breeding period. Highly significant differences were observed among the groups with regard to body weight measured on day 20 and day 42 (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). The addition of LO was accompanied by reductions in liver weights; furthermore, LO had a significant effect on the pH, water content, and fat content of the meat (p<0.05). Administration of LO had a measurable effect on the endogenous intestinal population of Lactobacillus, and the bacterial load (including those of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) was significantly reduced.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that supplementing quail feed with LO has a profound effect on their growth as well as antimicrobial effects.