ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to estimate the nutritional requirement of digestible methionine + cystine for Japanese quail during the growth phase and its residual effect on the laying phase. One experiment was conducted, including three phases: starter, from 1 to 14 days of age; grower, from 15 to 42 days of age; and laying, from 43 to 168 days of age. The experimental design was entirely randomized with five treatments (0.52, 0.64, 0.76, 0.88, and 1.00% of digestible methionine + cystine) and five replicates. In starter phase, 48 quail/experimental unit (box) were used; in grower phase, 31 quail/experimental unit (box) were used, which were reared until 14 days old, receiving conventional feed and, in laying phase, 12 quail/experimental unit were selected from grower phase to evaluate the residual effect. To evaluate animal performance, feed intake (g/bird), body weight (g), weight gain (g), feed conversion (g/g), and viability (%) were analyzed. At 14 and 42 days of age, the relative weight (%) of liver, spleen, and cloacal pouch organs, the birds’ warping (%) and body chemical composition (%) were evaluated. During laying, performance and egg quality were evaluated. In the starter and grower stages, quadratic effects were observed for all performance variables. Laying performance results confirmed the estimates obtained in the grower phase; however, there was no effect on egg quality. Considering the best feed conversion, the nutritional recommendation of digestible methionine + cystine for Japanese quail in the starter phase is 0.85% and in the grower phase, it is 0.77%, corresponding to daily intake of 50.43 and 158.5 mg of digestible methionine + cystine/day, respectively.

Abstract An experiment was carried out with Japanese quails in the initial laying phase, from 43 to 168 days of age, to determine the nutritional requirement of digestible methionine + cystine for this period. 375 quails were used, being fifteen quails used per experimental unit. A total of 5 treatments (0.60, 0.75, 0.90, 1.05 and 1.20% digestible methionine + cystine) were used in a completely randomized design with 5 replicates each. The performance parameters evaluated were feed intake (g / bird), body weight (g), egg weight (g), laying rate (%), egg mass (g eggs.bird.day-1), feed conversion by mass and dozen eggs (g.g-1 of eggs, g.dz-1 of eggs), viability (%) and the body chemical composition (%). The egg quality parameters were: % of component (yolk, albumen and shell relative to egg weight), specific gravity (g mL-1), Haugh unit, yolk index, shell weight per surface area and thickness of the shell (mm). Quadratic effect was found on the performance parameters evaluated (P<0.05), except for age at first egg and viability with linear effect. Regarding egg quality, no significant effect was observed on the variables tested (P>0.05). The nutritional recommendation of digestible methionine + cystine for Japanese quails at laying phase is 0.90% from the maximum point obtained for the egg mass, egg weight and laying rate, corresponding to daily intake of 241.54 mg of digestible methionine + cystine / day, respectively.

Resumo Foi desenvolvido um experimento com codornas japonesas na fase inicial de postura, de 43 a 168 dias de idade, com o objetivo de determinar a exigência nutricional de metionina + cistina digestível para este período. Foram utilizadas 375 codornas, sendo 15 aves por unidade experimental. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado (DIC) totalizando 5 tratamentos (0,60; 0,75; 0,90; 1,05 e 1,20 % de metionina + cistina digestível) com 5 repetições cada. As variáveis de desempenho avaliadas foram, consumo de ração (g/ave), peso corporal (g), peso do ovo (g), taxa de postura (%), produção de massa de ovos (g ovos.ave. dia-1), conversão alimentar por massa e dúzia de ovos (g.g-1 de ovos, g.dz-1 de ovos), viabilidade (%) e a composição química corporal (%). As variáveis de qualidade dos ovos foram, percentagem do componente (gema, albúmen e casca em relação ao peso do ovo), gravidade específica (g mL.-1), unidade Haugh, índice de gema e peso da casca por superfície de área. Foi encontrado efeito quadrático sobre as variáveis de desempenho avaliadas (P<0,05), exceto para idade ao primeiro ovo e viabilidade que apresentaram efeito linear. Em relação à qualidade dos ovos, não foi observado efeito significativo sobre as variáveis testadas (P>0,05). A recomendação nutricional de metionina + cistina digestível para codornas japonesas na fase de postura é de 0,90% a partir do ponto de máxima obtido para as variáveis massa de ovos, peso de ovos e taxa de postura, correspondendo ao consumo diário de 241,54 mg de metionina + cistina digestível / dia, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of two xylanases in the diet of meat-type quail on performance, morphology of the intestinal mucosa, metabolization of nutrients, and carcass yield. The experimental design was a completely randomized 2×3+1 factorial arrangement [two metabolisable energy reductions (70 and 140 kcal/kg), with or without the inclusion of two xylanases (A and B), plus a control treatment without xylanase), totalling seven treatments with five replicates and 42 quail each. Total excreta were collected at 28 days of age to determine the metabolisable coefficients of dry matter, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and gross energy (GE). There was no interaction between the energetic reductions and inclusion of xylanases on performance variables of the birds. The 70 kcal/kg reduction led to better results for feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion, while the 140 kcal/kg reduction led to worse results. In terms of jejunum morphometry, there was no interaction between energy reductions and inclusion of xylanases, although xylanases increased villi height and villus:crypt ratio. There was an interaction between energy reduction and inclusion of enzymes for the metabolisability coefficients of CP, NDF, and GE, leading to improvements in these coefficients. Xylanases A and B are effective in energy-reduced corn and soybean meal diets for 15 to 35-day-old quail.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to estimate the growth parameters of body weight and body nutrient deposition in males and females of one meat- (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) and two laying-type quail strains (Coturnix coturnix japonica), designated either yellow or red, using the Gompertz model. A total of 1350 quail from 1 to 42 days of age were used and they were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five replications for each strain. The parameters of body weight and body composition of the quail were analyzed weekly and evaluated using the Gompertz equation; growth rates and body nutrient deposition were evaluated through derivative equations. The three strains evaluated showed differences in their potential, growth rates, and body chemical composition. The composition up to 42 days of age was not sufficient to adjust the fat deposition data using Gompertz. Due to the period evaluated, the Gompertz model allowed to verify that females have higher body growth rates when compared with males of the same strains, with accelerated growth up to 14 and 21 days of age for males and females, respectively. Regarding the laying strain, the red has greater growth, with similar potential in depositing protein and water in the carcass, but they are more precocious in the deposition of these nutrients.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the adjustment quality of non-linear models and estimate the growth parameters and body chemical composition of a meat-type quail strain (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) and two laying quail strains (Coturnix coturnix japonica), designated yellow and red. The study used 1500 quail, not sexed, distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and five repetitions. The experimental period was from 1-42 days of age. The birds were raised in a conventional system and fed ad libitum with a diet formulated to meet their nutritional requirements. Quail were weighed weekly, and a representative sample was slaughtered to evaluate their body chemical composition. The adjustment quality of the models was evaluated by means of the residual mean square (RMS), regression residue squares sum (SSRR), and number of iterations required for convergence. In evaluating the adjustment quality for the body weight of the three strains, the Gompertz, Logistic, and Von Bertalanffy models gave good fit, with Gompertz providing the best adjustment among them. For body composition, the Gompertz and Logistic models were the best, with Gompertz showing a slight superiority. Gompertz is the best model for describing growth curves and body chemical composition of body weight, protein, water, and ash in meat-type quail. In addition, it is the best model for describing growth curves and body chemical composition of body weight of yellow laying quail and of body weight, protein, and ash in red laying quail. Logistic was the best model for describing growth curves and body chemical composition of water, protein, and ash in yellow laying quail, and of water in red laying quail.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a biometria das vísceras e os parâmetros sanguíneos de codornas de corte aos 14 e 35 dias de idade, suplementadas com diferentes níveis de selênio inorgânico e vitamina E. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4×4 (Se inorgânico = 0,1125; 0,2250; 0,3375 e 0,4500 mg/kg de ração x VE = 10; 23; 36 e 49 UI/kg de ração). No experimento de 0 a 14 dias, foram utilizadas 2.400 codornas recémnascidas, distribuídas em 16 tratamentos e três repetições de 50 aves cada. No experimento de 14 a 35 dias, sob os mesmos tratamentos, foram utilizadas 1.680 codornas com 14 dias de idade e três repetições de 35 aves cada. Aos 14 dias, o pesos relativo de baço (P=0,0203) aumentou linearmente em função dos níveis de VE, enquanto aos 35 dias, o peso relativo de bolsa cloacal (P=0,0390) aumentou linearmente em função do Se. Aos 14 dias, verificou-se interação (P=0,0097) vitamínica x mineral nas concentrações de colesterol total (CT), além de efeito quadrático (P=0,0138) relacionado aos níveis de Se e redução linear (P=0,0275) em função da VE. Aos 35 dias, as concentrações de CT (P=0,0055) e triglicerídeos (TGR, P=0,0220) apresentaram efeito quadrático para o Se. O aumento linear do peso do baço e bolsa cloacal aos 14 e 35 dias respectivamente, sugerem melhora na resposta imune em função da suplementação de VE e Se. Para a mínima concentração de CT e TGR aos 35 dias de idade, recomenda-se a suplementação de 0,26 e 0,29 mg/Se/kg/ração respectivamente.

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate biometric viscera and blood parameters of quails at 14 and 35 days of age, supplemented with different levels of inorganic selenium and vitamin E. A completely randomized design was used in a 4×4 factorial scheme (inorganic Se = 0.1125, 0.2250, 0.3375 and 0.4500 mg/kg diet x VE = 10, 23, 36 and 49 IU/kg feed). In the 0-14 days experiment, 2,400 newborn quail were used, distributed in 16 treatments and three replications of 50 birds each. In the 14-35 days experiment, 1,680 14 day-old quails were used with same treatments and three replicates of 35 birds each. At 14 days, the relative spleen weights (P=0.0203) increased linearly as a function of the VE level, while at 35 days, the relative weight of the bursa (P=0.0390) increased linearly as a function of Se concentration. At 14 days, there was a vitamin x mineral interaction (p=0.0097) affecting total cholesterol (TC), and a quadratic effect (P = 0.0138) related to Se and linear reduction levels (P=0.0275) as a function of VE. At 35 days, the TC concentrations (P=0.0055) and triglycerides (TG, P = 0.0220) showed a quadratic effect for Se. The linear increase in spleen weight and bursa after 14 and 35 days respectively suggests an improved immune response as a function of VE and Se supplementation. To achieve the lowest concentration of TC and TG at 35 days of age, supplementation of 0.26 and 0.29 mg/Se/kg/feed, respectively, is recommended.

ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to estimate the parameters of the Gompertz, Brody, Logistic, and Von Bertalanffy equations through Bayesian inference and evaluate the potential for growth in terms of weight and body composition of laying female quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The weights and body compositions of the birds were obtained weekly (1-119 days), allowing the adjustment of the four equations by Bayesian inference. The parameters mature weight (β1), integration constant (β2), maturity rate (β3), and their credibility intervals in four models on body weight and body components were properly estimated by Bayesian inference to describe the body growth in laying quail. The inflection point was determined by the 1st and 2nd derivatives of the Gompertz equation for body weight and body components (fat, protein, ash, and water). Based on Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) for the studied and analyzed variables, there is a model that fits best as a result of its better performance to achieve the DIC value. The Von Bertalanffy model proved to be very versatile, not obtaining good fit of data only for fat. The study shows that other models can also be used in several data sets as an alternative to Gompertz, which, due to its adequate biological interpretation and desirable characteristics in a curve growth, is generally the most used.

ABSTRACT An experiment was conducted to determine the required levels of supplementary vitamin D and calcium in meat-type quail (Coturnix coturnix sp) between 15 and 35 days old. The experiment was a 4 × 4 factorial design with four levels of calcium: 0.42, 0.58, 0.74, and 0.90% and four levels of vitamin D: 1,000; 2,000; 3,000; and 4,000 IU. Body weight and body weight gain increased linearly and feed conversion showed some linear improvement due to increased levels of Ca and vitamin D. The increased vitamin D levels resulted in a linear increase in feed intake. Calcium and vitamin D requirements in meat-type quail between 15 and 35 days of age is greater or equal to 0.90% Ca and greater or equal to 4,000 IU of vitamin D, probably because the experiment was conducted during the pre-laying phase.

El objetivo de este experimento fue evaluar la calidad interna del huevo de las gallinas ponedoras (Hy-line W36), en dos edades diferentes (37 y 69 semanas), con 6 periodos de almacenamiento (1, 7, 14, 21, 28 y 35 día), dos condiciones de almacenamiento (habitación y refrigerador) y dos tipos de embalaje de huevos (con y sin película plástica); asignado a un estudio aleatorizado en un factorial (2 x 6 x 2 x 2). Los parámetros analizados fueron: altura de la albúmina, la pérdida de peso relativo del huevo, la gravedad específica y Haugh unidad (UH). Los huevos almacenados en una nevera y una menor edad de las gallinas ponedoras dieron lugar a una mejor preservación de la calidad interna del huevo. El tipo de embalaje no ha aportado ningún cambio en la calidad interna en los distintos tipos de almacenamiento.

Quality of eggs of laying hens in two ages under different storage conditions and type of egg carton

O objetivo deste experimento foi de avaliar a qualidade interna de ovos de poedeiras comerciais (Hy- line W36), em duas idades diferentes (37 e 69 semanas), com 6 períodos de estocagem (1, 7, 14, 21, 28 e 35 dias), duas condições de armazenamento (ambiente e geladeira) e dois tipos de embalagem de ovos ( com e sem plástico filme); distribuídos em delineamento ao acaso em esquema fatorial (2 x 6 x 2 x 2). Os parâmetros analisados foram: altura de albúmen, perda de peso relativo dos ovos, gravidade específica e unidade Haugh (UH). O armazenamento dos ovos em geladeira e a menor idade das poedeiras proporcionaram melhor conservação da qualidade interna dos ovos. O tipo de embalagem não proporcionou nenhuma alteração na qualidade interna nos diferentes tipos de armazenamento.