Índices de conforto térmico, fisiológicos e produtivos de codornas japonesas alimentadas com redução proteica.

Abstract

The Quail breeding has been increasing in the last decade as promising poultry adapted to the conditions of domestic exploration and this preference is due to the increasing consumption of meat and eggs and by low initial investment. With the elevation of environmental temperature, these animals can be subjected to a thermal discomfort, triggering physiological responses, in order to increase the heat loss to the environment. For these reasons, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of environment and electrolyte balance in physiologic and production parameters of Japanese quail, in Brejo region of Paraiba State, fed with six different percentages of electrolyte balance. A total of 288 birds were distributed in a randomized block design with six treatments and six replicates of eight birds each one. Treatments consisted of a basal diet with 20.0% PB level and the other with a reduction of 3.0% PB to reach six levels of electrolyte balance (166.54, 153.47, 139.63, 139, 63; 117.13 and 166.49). To characterize the internal environment of the facility was evaluated air temperature (TA), relative humidity (UR) and temperature and humidity index (ITU). Physiological parameters evaluated were respiratory rate (FR), cloacal temperature (TC) and body surface temperature (TSC); zootechnical variables evaluated were feed intake (CR), water consumption (CH2O), egg production (PR) weight of eggs (PO) and egg mass (MO), feed conversion and weight per dozen eggs (kg/kg and kg/dozen), percentage of yolk, albumen and shell, specific gravity (g/mL), shell thickness (mm) and pigmentation (SGA). The data obtained from environmental and physiological variables were subjected to analysis of variance, and when significant, compared by Tukey test at 5% probability. It was observed a variation in THI between 70 and 74, when the hottest times, the values were higher (73 to 74), causing discomfort for birds. Physiological variables showed sometimes small variations in the mean, but was maintained at homeothermy these animals. Regarding zootechnical variables were no statistical differences in the levels of BE on the CR, CH20, PR, PO, MO, PG, PC, %ALB, %G, %C and PIG, estimating the requirements of 166.54; 153.47, 139.63, 139.63, 117.13 and 166.49% of BE in the diet, respectively. Climatic variations, the physiological and the inclusion of different levels of dietary electrolyte balance, affected the performance and egg quality, recommended the treatment number four, level BE 139.63, the diet of Japanese quails, for best results.