The effect of housing system and strain on growth performance and carcass trait of quails

Aim of study: This study investigated the effect of housing system and strain on growth performance and carcass trait of quails. Area of study: The study was carried out at the Poultry Unit and Research Centre of Çukurova University in the Republic of Türkiye. Material and methods: A total of 900 eggs (450 eggs per strain) of two quail strains (brown and golden quails) were incubated. At hatch, 720 quail chicks (360 chicks per strain) were reared in 3 different housing systems (cage, litter system or slatted floors) with a total of 3 replicates per housing system. Main results: Brown quails had significantly higher body weight between 1 week (wk) and 4 wk of age however, feed intake at 4 wk of age was significantly higher in golden quails (P≤0.05). The feed conversion ratio was significantly better in brown quails than in golden quails at 5 wk of age (P≤0.05). Quails reared in cages had higher body weight between 1 and 5 wk of age than quails housed in other production systems (P≤0.05). While the body weight gain was significantly higher in quails housed in cages at 3 wk and 5 wk of age, the quails housed in slatted floors had the highest body weight gain at 4 wk of age (P≤0.05). Feed intake was significantly higher in quails reared in cages between 3 wk and 5 wk of age however, quails reared in the litter system had the highest feed intake between 1 wk and 2 wk of age (P≤0.05). The feed conversion ratio at 3 wk of age was better in quails reared in slatted floors however, quails reared in the litter system had the best feed conversion ratio at 4 wk of age (P≤0.05). The dressing percentage and carcass weight were significantly higher in golden quails and quails housed in cages, respectively (P≤0.05). Research highlights: It was concluded that the performance of brown and golden quail strains is better in cages and litter housing systems however, the selection of brown quails coupled with the use of cages for production may yield better results.