EFFECT OF HOUSING CONDITIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix japonica) UNDER COLD STRESS IN WINTER

The effect of different housing conditions on body weight, weight gain, feed intake, water consumption, egg production, rectal temperature, hematocrit value and mortality rate were studied in Japanese quail. Three experimental groups: winter conditions (control), long day-light (lighted) and hot climate (heated) were used. A total of 195 quail chicks (65/group, 40 females and 25 males) were used. Results showed that significant differences in the most studied traits occurred among the treatment groups. Winter conditions had a significantly lighter body weight compared to the other groups between 6 to 14 weeks of age. During this period, rectal temperature was significantly higher in winter group compared to the other groups. Egg production was the lowest in the control group compared to the other groups. Birds kept under high environmental temperature had the lowest hematocrit value than the other treatment groups. In general, Egyptian winter conditions had adversely influence on most studied traits in Japanese quail. It is assumed, therefore, that during winter increased lighting period and ambient temperature are important to increase productive and reproductive cycles in Japanese quail by enhancing physiological responses.