ABSTRACT
The objective was to evaluate whether space allowance during pre-slaughter transport of European breeding quail affects welfare, carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 248 quails (body weight = 344.90 ± 2.09 g) were used. During pre-transport, the quails were fasted for 5 hours and 30 minutes. The poultry were caught and placed in plastic transport crates with an area of 0.40 m2. The treatments consisted of a different space allowance in each crate: 22, 28, 34 or 40 quails per crate. Immediately upon arrival at the slaughterhouse, the quails were stunned. During bleeding, blood samples were collected. The carcasses were individually weighed. The meat quality was measured. Data were analysed using the effects of space allowance during transport of quails and pickup truck as dependent variables. Death on arrival increased as the space allowance in transport crates decreased (p=0.08). Glucose and uric acid levels were not significantly different between groups (p≥0.14). The cold carcass weight presented the maximum value when the crates contained 31 quails (p=0.03). The meat pH, intensity of red, intensity of yellow and cooking losses were not different between groups (p≥0.12). The meat lightness value presented the maximum value when the crates contained 31 quails (p=0.04). In view of the above, the number of European breeding quails transported in crates must not exceed 30 animals.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Animal Welfare , Meat/analysis , Colinus/physiology , Animal CullingABSTRACT
The objective of this study was evaluate whether pretransport feed withdrawal affects welfare, carcass, and meat characteristics of European quails. A total of 120 European quails were used, with an initial age of 15 days. Bird feed was removed before transport to the slaughterhouse at the following times, which characterised the different treatments: zero hours, three hours, six hours, nine hours and twelve hours. The transport took 54 minutes to cover 27 kilometres to a commercial slaughterhouse. The birds were slaughtered at 41 days of age. During bleeding, blood samples were collected. Blood glucose, total protein, albumin, uric acid, and corticosterone concentrations were measured. The carcasses and meat characteristics were measured. Poultry body weight decreased and blood glucose concentrations increased with the increase in feed withdrawal time. The treatments did not affect carcass weights. Carcass yields after three hours fasting were similar to those in the six hours and nine hours groups, indicating that gastrointestinal tracts were empty after the third hour. Meat quality was negatively affected (pH, lightness, water holding capacity, cooking loss) by the increase in feed withdrawal time; integrated parameters that characterise dark, firm, dry meat. Pre transport feed withdrawal time should be three hours to empty the gastrointestinal tract and minimise losses in meat quality of European quails. It is necessary to adjust feed withdrawal so that it does not exceed this time, since there is no technical justification for supporting it.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Colinus/physiology , Eating/physiology , Animal Feed/adverse effects , Meat , Animal WelfareABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate the effects of different levels of chia (Salvia Hispanica L.) seed oil supplementation as omega-3 source to the diets of laying quails on yield performance, egg quality, and egg yolk fatty acid profiles. The study was conducted including 4 treatment groups as follows: C0 (0 g/kg diet), C1 (1 g/kg diet), C2 (2 g/kg diet), and C3 (3 g/kg diet). In the study, 96 female quails at the age of 18 weeks were used and the trial was carried out for 4 weeks. As a result, it was determined that chia seed oil supplementation to the diet was not effective on feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg yield, or egg weight of quails, but it was effective on the yolk index of egg quality characteristics (p<0.05). The most important effect of chia seed oil supplementation to the diet was determined to be on the omega-3/omega-6 ratio of egg yolk. Dietary chia seed oil increased the omega-3/omega-6 ratio (p<0.01). It can be stated that increasing the level of omega-3 in the diets, positively affects the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Seeds/adverse effects , Colinus/physiology , Eating/physiology , Salvia hispanica/adverse effects , Fatty Acids, Omega-3 , Fatty Acids, Omega-6 , Animal Feed/analysisABSTRACT
The factors that determine the onset of the reproductive season and the relationship between territory defense and mating success of Colinus leucopogon males are unknown. Here I report on climatic variables influencing the time of permanence on the territory, and how this affects the species mating success. I also analyze the relationship between the time devoted by males on territory defense and the relationship of song and territorial characteristics. The onset of the reproductive season was determined by an amount of rain greater than 14.3 mm during March, favouring the food availability and nesting places abundance, and also allowed an increase in the reproductive success of Colinus leucopogon. The time invested in territory defense by males was not related with their mating success. Moreover, the duration in territory defense was similar for males that paired, compared with those that did not. In addition, song and territory characteristics were not related with males invested time in their territory defense. Therefore, this could be another reason explaining the lack of a relationship between the duration in the territories by males and pair formation, and suggests that song characteristics strongly influence the formation of pairs in this species.
Subject(s)
Colinus/physiology , Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology , Territoriality , Animals , Male , Reproduction/physiology , SeasonsABSTRACT
Reproductive season onset and time invested in territory defense in Colinus leucopogon males (Galliformes: Odontophoridae). The factors that determine the onset of the reproductive season and the relationship between territory defense and mating success of Colinus leucopogon males are unknown. Here I report on climatic variables influencing the time of permanence on the territory, and how this affects the species mating success. I also analyze the relationship between the time devoted by males on territory defense and the relationship of song and territorial characteristics. The onset of the reproductive season was determined by an amount of rain greater than 14.3mm during March, favouring the food availability and nesting places abundance, and also allowed an increase in the reproductive success of Colinus leucopogon. The time invested in territory defense by males was not related with their mating success. Moreover, the duration in territory defense was similar for males that paired, compared with those that did not. In addition, song and territory characteristics were not related with males invested time in their territory defense. Therefore, this could be another reason explaining the lack of a relationship between the duration in the territories by males and pair formation, and suggests that song characteristics strongly influence the formation of pairs in this species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 363-372. Epub 2011 March 01.
Los factores que determinan el inicio de la época reproductiva, y la relación entre el tiempo que un macho de Colinus leucopogon defiende su territorio con el éxito reproductivo del mismo son desconocidos. Por lo tanto aquí se reporta el efecto de variables climáticas sobre el inicio de la época reproductiva, y el efecto de la duración de los machos en su territorio con el éxito de adquirir pareja. También se analiza la relación entre la duración de los machos en su territorio con las características del canto y el territorio. Precipitaciones superiores a 14.3mm en marzo determinaron el inicio de la época reproductiva. Esto favoreció el incremento de alimento y sitios para anidar, lo que podría incrementar el éxito reproductivo de la especie. La duración de los machos dentro de su territorio no se asoció con la adquisición de pareja, debido a que machos que logran emparejarse duraron un tiempo similar en sus territorios, que machos que no se emparejaron. Las características del canto y el territorio tampoco se relacionaron con la duración del macho dentro de su territorio. Por lo tanto esto puede ser otra causa para que no se haya encontrado una relación entre la duración del macho en su territorio con la formación de parejas, ya que las características del canto son las que más influyen en la formación de parejas en esta especie.