Post-Hatch Performance of Quails Under Different Housing Environments in the Humid Tropics

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of two housing environments on the performance of quail chicks during the 21 day post-hatch period. A total number of 200 day-old quails of mixed sexes were sourced from local hatcheries and used for this study. On arrival, the chicks were separated into two housing systems, that is, 100 chicks each per cage and deep litter, respectively. Analyzed data showed that house has significant (P<0.01) effect on body weight, body weight gain and mortality rate of quail chicks. At 7-day post-hatch, quails brooded inside the cage had higher weight than their mates brooded on the concrete flood even though they were given uniform management conditions, feeding and temperature range to aid their growth and development. At 14-day post hatch also, cage birds had superior body weight than birds on deep litter. Similar result was recorded at 21-day post hatch body weight. With regard to body weight gain, in the period between 0-7 and 7-14 days, cage had superior mean values compared to floor system. It was observed that throughout the experimental period, quail chicks brooded in the cage had higher body weight and body weight gain than those brooded on the floor. In addition, higher deaths (P<0.01) were recorded in the floor system compared with cage. The obtained result showed that chicks in the cage utilized feeds given maximally to develop muscles and bone since their movement was restricted when compared with those on deep litter. In addition, birds in the cage had no contact with their faeces and therefore, less vulnerable to any contamination arising from ammonia burns oozing out from their faeces or any other pathogenic organisms. It is suggested therefore, that for maximum utilization of feeds and for better performance in terms of body weight and body weight gain, and lower mortality rate, quail chicks should be raised in the cage during the first few days after hatch.