RODRIGUES, L. R.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6505813522283057; RODRIGUES, Ladyanne Raia.
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.
