Comparative efficacy of natural zeolite and gypsum amendments on litter quality, ammonia emissions and production performance of Japanese quails

1. This study assessed the efficacy of supplementing sawdust litter with the inorganic compounds, zeolite and gypsum, on quality, ammonia emissions and the production performance of Japanese quail.2. A total of 144-day-old Japanese quail were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (control, zeolite or gypsum) with six replicates of eight birds each, reared over a 13-week period. Parameters observed included growth performance, litter quality indices (pH, moisture, water holding capacity, ammonia emission and nitrogen content), microbial/parasitic load and bird welfare indicators.3. Both zeolite and gypsum treatments significantly improved litter quality compared to the control. Specifically, treated groups exhibited lower moisture content, reduced pH, decreased cake formation and significantly lower ammonia emissions, alongside higher nitrogen retention.4. These improved environmental conditions translated to superior bird welfare, evidenced by reduced footpad lesions and lower parasitic and microbial loads. Birds reared on treated litter had better feed conversion and egg production compared to the control group.5. The study showed that both zeolite and gypsum serve as effective sawdust litter treatments, enhancing both the performance and welfare of Japanese quail.