Saki, A. A., S. Roomiani, S. Mirzaei, E. Ahmadi & V. Khoramabadi, 2017.

Effects of different force moulting methods on performance, egg quality and plasma metabolites in Japanese quails.

Bulg. J. Vet. Med., 20, No 4, 327–338.  DOI: 10.15547/bjvm.1029

This study investigated the effects of various force moulting methods on egg physical and mechanical characteristics, plasma metabolites and performance of Japanese quails from 26 to 36 weeks of age. The treatments were: T1 (control), T2 (feed restriction), T3 (alfalfa powder), T4 (wheat screening powder, a by-product obtained after harvesting and processing of wheat). Egg production ceased completely with feed restriction and alfalfa treatments by days 4 and 3. Also, birds under feed restriction and alfalfa treatments returned to first egg at day 4 of post-moulting period. No significant differences were found in feed intake, egg mass, egg production, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and morta­lity of quails in response to experimental treatments after moulting (P>0.05). Feed restriction led to significantly higher egg weight in comparison to control and wheat screening treatments (P<0.01). No significant effect on egg quality was found by forced-moulting methods (P>0.05). The calcium concentration was higher (P<0.001) in control birds than in others at the end of moulting. It can be concluded that using alfalfa and to a lesser extent feed restriction may be suitable force-moulting me­thods in quails.

Key words: egg quality, forced moulting, mechanical properties, performance, quail