الفهرس 
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Abstract
Quails are kept for a dual purposes, egg and meat production. Coturnix coturnix Japonica is widely distributed in Europe, Africa and Asia, where it is regarded as a major species. Several strains subspecies are recognized, the more important being the European (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) and the Asiatic or Japanese (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). For several centuries in Japan a semi-domesticated strain has been as pet and singing bird. Nowadays, quail become widely distributed in Egypt; they kept mainly for meat production since their meat is palatable and popular. The present study was carried out at department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University in This study was planned to investigate the effect of two different housing systems (battery and floor) and stocking density on welfare of Japanese quails from 4th till 8th week of age. The obtained results are summarized under the following headings. Behavioural patterns 1.1. Effect of Housing system. Housing of quails in floor pens significantly increased 0.01) feeding time and drinking frequency (14.01±1.67 min. /hr. and 10.69±1.71 freq. /hr., respectively) tan those housed in battery (8.24± 0.48 min. /hr. and 5.05±0.25 freq. /hr., respectively 2. Floor housed birds quails exhibited significantly longer crouching time (13.2±0.85 min. /hr.), frequent walking behaviour (11.89±1.69 freq. /hr.), trough pecking (5.71±0.38 freq. /hr.), wall pecking (5.82±0.48 freq. /hr.) and feather pecking (8.44±0.46 freq. /hr.) than those housed in battery (10.33±0.65; 5.87±0.29; 3.17±0.25; 3.17±0.35 and 5.19±0.37 freq. /hr., respectively) . . On the other hand, in battery system standing idle was longer than floor reared birds (15.28±2.56 vs. 14.05±0.73 min. /hr.) and preening, feather ruffling and shaking behaviour were more frequent (9.37±0.76; 8.95±0.7 and 5.89±0.53 freq. /hr., respectively), versus (6.06±0.55; 6.67±1.68 and 3.39±0.31 freq. /hr., respectively). . Wing stretch, leg stretch and wing & leg stretch was more frequent in battery system (8.84±0.69; 6.83±0.55 and 8.53±0.64 freq. /hr., respectively) than floor system (4.51±0.42; 4.6±0.4 and 5.51±0.45 freq. /hr., respectively). Also, aggressive pecking was significantly higher in battery system than floor system (14.99±0.91 vs. 11.47±0.81 freq. /hr .2. Effect of stocking density 1. Stocking density had a highly significant effect 0.01) on feeding time and drinking frequency where group of 30 bird /m2 was the highest (14.82±0.51 min. /hr. and 9.7±0.45 freq. /hr.) than group of 40 bird/m2 (12.08±2.47 min. /hr. and 8.91±2.6 freq. /hr.) and group of 50 bird/m2 (6.48±0.38 min. /hr. and 4.99±0.35 freq. /hr 2. With respect to standing time the lowest value was observed in group of 30 bird/m2 (6.01±0.18 min. /hr.) the group of 40 bird/m2 (15.43±0.51 min. /hr.) and the longest standing time was observed in group of 50 bird/m2 (22.54±3.5 min. /hr.). On contrary, crouching time was the highest at group of 30 bird/m2 (19.32±0.49 min. /hr.) then group of 40 bird/m2 (9.28±0.36 min. /hr.) and the lowest at group of 50 bird/m2 (6.68±0.33 min. /hr.). 3. Not only resting but also movement activity was affected where group of 30 bird/m2 had the lowest walking frequency (5.22±0.32 freq. /hr.) than group of 40 bird/m2 (8.1±0.4 freq. /hr.) and the highest walking frequency was for group of 50 bird/m2 (23.32±2.5 freq. /hr.), which was accompanied by much preening, ruffling and shaking for group of 30 bird/m2 (14.41±0.51; 14.91±0.34 and 8.52±0.4 freq. /hr., respectively) followed by group of 40 bird/m2 than group of 50 bird/ m2 4. Wing stretch, leg stretch wing & leg stretch in group of 30bird/m2 was the highest (12.21±0.63; 10.27±0.44 and 12.34±0.47 freq. /hr., respectively), while in group of 50 bird/ m2 it was the lowest (2.85±0.24; 2.63±0.18 and 3.39±0.29 freq. /hr., respectively 5. Stocking density had a highly significant effect (p<0.01) on all exploratory behaviour. As it was the highest in group of 30 bird/m2 for trough pecking, wall pecking and feather pecking behaviour (7.52±0.32; 8.98±0.36 and 10.88±0.36 freq. /hr., respectively) then group of 40 bird/m2 (3.6±0.27; 3.06±0.2 and 5.59±0.36 freq. /hr., respectively) and the lowest in group of 50 bird/m2 (2.21±0.16; 2.26±0.17 and 3.98±0.28 freq. /hr., respectively 6. Aggressive pecking was very low in group of 30 bird/m2 (5.3±0.3 freq. /hr.) and very high in group of 50 bird/m2 (19.37±0.71 freq. /hr2. Productive traits:1. Body weight was higher in floor reared birds than battery system (252.50±3.97 vs. 287.35±5.57g.). Also body weight was the highest in group of 30 bird/m2 (328.33±5.21 g.) than group of 40 bird/m2 (267.65±2.57) and it was the lowest in group of 50 bird/m2 (236.70±2.06 g 2. Feed conversion ratio was higher in battery system (4.48±0.24) than floor system (3.75±0.71). Moreover, feed conversion was the highest at group of 50 bird/ m2 (5.02±0.30) and it was the lowest at group of 30 bird/ m2 (3.09±0.0704. Carcass weight (%) of birds was higher in floor reared birds than battery housed birds (84.82±0.68 vs. 83.52±0.52). Moreover, carcass weight (%) was the highest in group of 30 bird/ m2 (87.32±0.35) and for group of 40 bird/m2 (83.74±0.28) and the lowest for group of 50 bird/m2 (81.46±0.22). . Internal organs weight of liver and spleen weight (%) was higher in floor reared birds while heart weight (%) was higher in battery housed birds. liver weight (%) was the highest in group of 30 bird/m2 (2.97±0.24) but not significant for spleen weight (%) and heart weight (%). Moreover, sex had a significant effect (P<0.05) on liver weight (%) as it was higher in female (3.85±0.16) but not significant for spleen and heart weight (%. Mortality rate was higher in battery system than floor system. Moreover, the effect of stocking density on mortality rate was the highest in group of 50 bird/m2 than other group3. Reproductive traits1. Age at sexual maturity was significantly affected by housing system as in floor housed birds reached to sexual maturity earlier than battery housed birds. Moreover, stocking density also have a direct effect on age at sexual maturity of birds as birds with optimum stocking density group of 30 bird/m2 reach to sexual maturity earlier than the other groups as the group of 40 bird/m2 reach to sexual maturity also earlier than group of 50 bird/m2 2. Egg production was much in floor housed birds than those housed on battery. Moreover, egg production of birds was very much at group of 30 bird/ m2 and low in group of 40 bird /m2 and very low in group of 50 bird/ m2 4. Biochemical changes 1. Heterophil: Lymphocyte ratio was higher in battery system (0.539±0.037) than floor system (0.159±0.028). Moreover, H: L ratio was the highest in group of 50 bird/m2 (0.37±0.77) followed by group of 40 bird/m2 (0.29±0.52) and it was the lowest for group of 30 bird/ m2 (0.25±0.04).2. Corticosterone level was higher in battery housed birds than floor reared birds (8.14±0.76 vs. 6.08±0.6 µg/dl). Also, corticosterone level was the highest in group of 50 bird/m2 (11.38±0.53 µg/dl) followed by group of 40 bird/ m2 (8.08±0.4 µg/dl) and very low in group of 30 bird/ m2 (3.87±0.27 µg/dl). Moreover, Corticosterone level was higher in female (7.81±0.72 µg/dl) than in male (6.4±0.69 µg/dl 5. Tonic immobility test (Fear related response): 1. Time of immobility was higher in battery system (24.17±3.514 sec.) than floor system (13.22±2.246 sec.). Moreover, TI duration was longer in group of 50 bird/m2 (33.58±2.84 sec.) than group of 40 bird/ m2 (17±1.93 sec.) and group of 30 bird/m2 (5.50±0.67 sec.). Moreover, female showed long duration of tonic immobility than males (26.87±4.06 vs. 19.38±3.39 sec Experiment ΙΙ This experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of calcium and phosphorus deficiency on behavioural patterns, productive performance, carcass weight, internal organs weight, egg production, egg quality traits, some blood parameters of Japanese quail housed in battery system from four weeks old till ten weeks old. The obtained results are summarized under the following headings 1. Behavioural patterns: 1. Calcium and phosphorus deficiency had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on ingestive behaviour as feeding time and drinking frequency was higher in birds fed normal ration than deficient calcium and phosphorus group (11.32±0.43 min. /hr. and 3.88±0.18 freq. /hr.) vs. (8.07±0.23 min. /hr. and 2.96±0.07 freq. /hr.). Also, standing time in group fed normal ration was higher than deficient group birds (14.87±0.49 vs. 9.51±0.45 min. /hr.). Moreover, walking behaviour in normal ration group was higher than deficient group (5.26±0.11 vs. 3.64±0.19 freq. /hr.). . Preening, feather ruffling and shaking behaviour was higher in normal ration group than deficient calcium and phosphorus group (4.49±0.16; 5.35±0.06 and 5.05±0.05 freq. /hr., respectively) versus (3.53±0.19; 2.89±0.11 and 2.83±0.07 freq. /hr., respectively). Also, wing stretch, leg stretch and wing & leg stretch in normal ration group (3.77±0.05; 3.60±0.07 and 5.49±0.09 freq. /hr., respectively) were higher than deficient ration group (1.15±0.06; 1.11±0.05 and 1.69±0.07 freq. /hr., respectively3. Crouching behaviour was significantly longer in Ca and P deficient ration group (9.83±0.45 min. /hr.) than normal ration group (6.74±0.15 min. /hr.). Moreover, trough, wall and feather pecking were significantly higher (P<0.05) in quails fed ration deficient in Ca and P (7.32±0.07; 5.42±0.07 and 4.14±0.06 freq. /hr., respectively) than those fed normal ration (3.07±0.04; 2.08±0.03 and 1.17±0.04 freq. /hr., respectively). Also, aggressive pecking were significantly higher (P<0.01) in birds of deficient calcium and phosphorus group than optimum calcium and phosphorus group birds. (13.28±0.04 freq. /hr. vs. 9.35±0.03freq. /hr2. Productive traits;1. Body weight was higher in optimum calcium and phosphorus group than deficient calcium and phosphorus group (319.20±4.64 vs. 230.6±2.16 g.). 2. Feed conversion ratio was higher in deficient calcium and phosphorus group than in normal calcium and phosphorus group (4.85±0.7 vs. 3.43±0.1 3. Carcass weight (%) of quails is higher in normal calcium and phosphorus group than deficient calcium and phosphorus group (87.17±0.61 vs. 83.43±0.42).4. Liver weight (%) was higher in normal calcium and phosphorus group while heart weight (%) and spleen weight was not differed significantly by calcium and phosphorus deficiency. Moreover, sex had a significant effect (P0.05) on liver weight (%) as it was higher in female (3.98±0.19) than in male (3.09±0.26), but not significant for spleen and heart weight (%3. Reproductive traits1. The reproductive traits including egg number, egg weight, albumin weight, yolk weight and egg shell thickness were all highly significantly higher in quails fed ration balanced in calcium and phosphorus (89; 14.16±0.27 g.; 6.52±0.14g.; 5.46±0.07 g. and 1.6±0.06 mm., respectively) than those fed calcium and phosphorus deficient ration (78; 7.42±0.57 g.; 3.37±0.31g.; 2.62±0.41 g. and 0.4±0.03 mm., respectively 3. Biochemical changes1. Calcium, phosphorus and Ca: P ratio all were significantly higher in serum of quails fed ration balanced in calcium and phosphorus (10.77±0.45 g/dl; 5.89±0.13 g/dl and 1.83±0.04, respectively) compared to those fed ration deficient in calcium and phosphorus (7.32±0.35 g/dl; 4.87±0.12 g/dl and 1.5±0.03, respectively). Experiment ΙΙΙ This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of debeaking on behavioural patterns, productive performance, water intake, carcass weight, internal organs weight, welfare and changes in some blood parameter of Japanese quail under two different housing systems (battery and floor) from four weeks old till eight weeks old. The obtained results are summarized under the following headings: 1. Behavioural patterns: 1.1. Effect of Housing system1. Rearing quails on floor significantly increased (P<0.01) feeding time (9.81±0.46 min. /hr.), drinking frequency (5.29±0.25 freq. /hr.), water intake (106.75±2.35 ml/bird/day), crouching time (11.67±0.58 min. /hr.), walking frequency (7.68±0.11freq. /hr.) than battery reared quails (8.03±0.45 min. /hr.; 4.55±0.28 freq. /hr.; 89.42±2.05 ml/bird/day; 9.64±0.52 min. /hr. and 5.14±0.11 freq. /hr., respectively2. Exploratory behaviours including trough, wall and feather pecking were all significantly higher in floor reared quails (4.17±0.07; 3.96±0.05 and 4.89±0.05 freq. /hr., respectively) than those reared in battery (3.69±0.05; 2.81±0.06 and 2.83±0.09 freq. /hr., respectively 3. On the other hand, standing idle was higher in battery system than floor reared birds (12.8±0.33 vs. 9.44±0.36 min. /hr.). Moreover, preening, feather ruffling and shaking behaviour was higher in battery system than in floor system (6.31±0.11; 4.67±0.08 and 4.57±0.09 freq. /hr., respectively) versus (5.13±0.09; 4.06±0.08 and 4.21±0.08 freq. /hr., respectively). Also, wing stretch, leg stretch and wing & leg stretch in battery system were higher (5.22±0.06; 5.26±0.06 and 7.22±0.06 freq. /hr., respectively) compared to floor system (4.04±0.07; 4.08±0.07 and 5.08±0.07 freq. /hr., respectively). 4. Aggressive pecking was significantly higher in battery system than floor system (9.36±0.07 vs. 7.02±0.06 freq. /hr1.2. Effect of debeaking1. A highly significant effect (P<0.01) of debeaking on feeding time and drinking frequency where non-debeaked bird exhibited much feeding time (10.38±0.29 min. /hr.) and drinking frequency (6.15±0.1freq. /hr.) than quails debeaked at 30 day old (9.35±0.77 min. /hr. and 4.83±0.42freq. /hr.) and those debeaked at 42 day old (7.03±0.41 min. /hr. and 3.79±0.28freq. /hr2. Water intake, was the highest in non-debeaked bird (108.4±2.36 ml./bird/day) respectively than quail’s debeaked at 30 day old (97.06±3.52 ml./bird/day) than those debeaked at 42 day old (91.37±2.31 ml./bird/day3. Standing time was very high in quails debeaked at 42 day old (12.6±0.45 min. /hr.) than quails debeaked at 30 day old (11.27±0.51 min. /hr.) and those non-debeaked bird (9.48±0.42 min. /hr.). . Crouching time was very high in non-debeaked quails (13.72±0.25 min. /hr.) compared to quails debeaked at 30 days (9.45±0.77 min. /hr.) and those debeaked at 42 day old (8.8±0.66 min. /hr.).Similarly walking frequency (8.95±0.11; 6.02±0.11 and 5.26±0.15 freq. /hr., respectively 5. A highly significant effect (P<0.01) of debeaking on comfort behaviour and body care behaviour as in non-debeaked quails were the highest in preening, ruffling and shaking (6.32±0.12; 5.68±0.07and 6.83±0.05 freq. /hr., respectively). On the other hand, the lowest activities exhibited by birds debeaked at 42 day old (4.36±0.14; 4.03±0.11 and 4.08±0.09 freq. /hr., respectively). Moreover, for wing stretch, leg stretch wing & leg stretch in non debeaked quails were the highest (5.43±0.05; 5.68±0.09 and 6.43±0.05 freq. /hr., respectively), while in quails debeaked at 30 days it was the lowest as it was (3.94±0.07; 3±0.09 and 4±0.09 freq. /hr., respectively. Debeaking had a highly significant effect (p<0.01) on all exploratory behaviour, where non-debeaked bird exhibited much trough, wall and feather pecking behaviour (4.21±0.06; 4.2±0.02 and 5.89±0.03 freq. /hr., respectively) than quails debeaked at 30 day old (1.82±0.09; 1.79±0.08 and 1.91±0.07 freq. /hr., respectively) than those debeaked at 42 day old (1.37±0.09; 1.67±0.06 and 1.23±0.07 freq. /hr., respectively. Control non debeaked quails exhibited the highest frequency of aggressive pecking (10.67±0.06 freq. /hr.) compared to quails debeaked at 30 day old (7.83±0.04 freq. /hr.) and those at 42 day old (4.07±0.08 freq. /hr. Productive traits Body weight was higher in floor system than battery system (342.44±3.92 vs. 302.52±4.43g.). Moreover, the highest weight found in non-debeaked bird during 1st, 2nd and 3rd week of experiment. While, during 4th week body weight of birds in non debeaked birds was (335.78±5.39 g.) and it was lower than birds debeaked at 30 day old (336.83±4.55 g.) with non-significant difference between them. Moreover, body weight was the lowest in debeaked quails at 42 day old after debeaking by 3 week (267.22±4.93 g.) and 4th week (294.83±5.79 g. Feed conversion was higher in battery system than floor system (5.21±0.43 vs. 3.17±0.49). Moreover, feed conversion was high in debeaked quails at 42 day old (5.68±0.47). . Carcass weight (%) of birds was higher in floor reared birds than battery housed birds (86.02±0.41 vs.84.63±0.34). Moreover debeaking had a highly significant (P<0.01) influence on carcass weight (%) of Japanese quails. As it was the highest in non-trimmed birds (87.65±0.85) than those debeaked at 30 day old (84.77±0.09) and those debeaked at 42 day old (83.9±0.3). Internal organ % as liver and spleen were higher in floor reared birds (2.84±0.14) and (0.05±0.0045) while heart (%) was higher in battery housed birds (0.89±0.05). Also there was a significant effect of debeaking on liver weight and heart (%) and spleen (%). As liver weight percent was very high in non debeaked birds (3.12±0.15) but for heart and spleen weight there was no significant difference between the results of quails debeaked at 30 day old and non debeaked birds but there was a significant difference between them and those debeaked at 42 day old. Moreover, sex had a significant effect (P<0.05) on liver (%) as it was higher in female (3.45±0.15), but not significant for spleen and heart (%. Biochemical changes. Heterophil: Lymphocyte ratio was higher in battery system (0.44±0.04) than floor system (0.22±0.02). Moreover, H: L ratio was very high in quails debeaked at 42 day old (0.43±0.06) than quails debeaked at 30 day old (0.32±0.05) and control non debeaked birds (0.24±0.03 Corticosterone level was higher in battery housed birds than floor reared birds (7.58±0.68 vs. 5.91±0.55 µg/dl).Moreover, corticosterone level was very high in quails debeaked at 42 day old as it was (9.61±0.44 µg/dl) than quails debeaked at 30 day old (6.97±0.34 µg/dl) and those non debeaked birds (3.57±0.18 µg/dl). Moreover, corticosterone level was higher in female (7.36±0.64 µg/dl) than male (6.13±0.63 µg/dl).