THE iNFLUENCE (PF FLOOR SPACE ON GROWTH:
EGG PRODUCYION‘ FERTILITY AND HATCHABIUTY
CDF ’E‘HE COWRNEX CQTURNtX JAPONECA

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MICHEGAN STA?§‘E iNiV‘ERSE'S‘Y
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ABSTRACT

THE INFLUENCE OF FLOOR SPACE ON GROWTH, EGG PRODUCTION, FERTILITY
AND HATCHABILITY OF THE COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA

by Ralph Ambrose Ernst

The purpose of this study was to determine the floor Space re-
quired for Optimum growth and reproduction of Coturnix quail from
three to thirteen weeks of age. It was hoped that the information
obtained from this study could be applied in determining the floor
space required for Optimum growth of light breeds of chicken pullets.

Coturnix quail were raised in concentrations of four, eight,
twelve, sixteen and twenty birds per square foot. Three replications
‘were raised at each concentration. All groups were provided with
equal feeder and waterer space per bird.

Growth, mortality, egg production, fertility, hatchability,
egg weight and feed conversion were measured on these groups. The
number of checked eggs was also determined.

The results showed that the body weight means, of the five
concentrations, were not significantly different at the 5 percent
level. Egg production and fertility were higher at a concentration
of four birds per square foot than in the more dense groups. In
this experiment intense crowding resulted in more checked and dirty
eggs. Quail in the more crowded groups were also poorly feathered
and dirty.

From the data obtained it was concluded that Coturnix quail
can be reared in less space than is required for good egg production

and acceptable fertility.

THE INFLUENCE OF FLOOR SPACE ON GROWTH, EGG PRODUCTION, FERTILITY
AND HATCHABILITY OF THE COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA

by

Ralph Ambrose Ernst

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Poultry Science

1963

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author wishes to thank Dr. Theo H. Coleman, Associate
Professor of Poultry Science for his guidAnce and help during the
experimental work and for his critical review of this manuscript.

I would like to express my appreciation to Mr. William Ruble,
Mr. John Wblford, Dr. H. Rubin, Dr. J. H. Stapleton, Dr. P. J.

Clark and Dr. E. Seiden for help with the statistical analysis
used to analyze the results of this study.

Thanks are also due to my parents for their help and encourage-
ment; and to my mother for her critical review of the manuscript.

Acknowledgment is also due to Dr. Howard C. Zindel, Head of
the Poultry Department, for making available the funds and facili-
ties for this investigation and to Dr. R. K. Ringer for his critical

review of the manuscript.

ii

II

III

VI

VII

VIII

TABLE

INTRODUCTION . . . . . .

REVIEW OF LITERATURE . .

OBJECTIVES

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE .

OF CONTENTS

0

A. Procurement and handling of
B. Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management. . . . . . . . . . . .
Experimental design and measurements.
Statistical analysis. . . . . . . . .

C.
D.
E.

REULTS O O O O O O O O O O

A. Body weight . . . . .
B. Egg production. . . .
C. Checked eggs. . . . .
Fertility and hatchability.
Egg weight, feed conversion
Onset of sexual maturity. . .

D.
E.
F.

stock

wd

DISCUSS ION O O O O O O O O O 0 O O O

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Body weight . . . . . . . . . .
Egg production and checked eggs
Fertility and hatchability. . .
Egg weight, feed conversion and
Onset of sexual maturity. . . .
General discussion. . . . . . .

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. . . . . . .

REFERENCES

APPENDIX

iii

mortality

0 O O O O

mortality

\O\l0\\nU\ U1 (3' N

H
O

10
10
11
13
15
18

21

21
22

23
24

25
26
28
29

31

Table

LIST OF TABLES

Michigan State University turkey starter ration
formula (56TSAM-1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The effect of pOpulation density on body weight
of Coturnix Quail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The effect of population density on egg production,
fertility, hatchability and the percent of checked

eggs 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

The effect of population density on the average
number of total eggs, egg weight, sound eggs,
fertile eggs, and chicks per quail hen . . . . . . .

iv

11

13

16

Figure

LIST OF FIGURES

The effect of sex on mean body weight; all trials .

The effect of population density on egg production,
fertility and hatchability. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The effect of pOpulation density on total eggs per
hen, sound eggs per hen, fertile eggs per hen and
dfidwlmrhmh. ... ... ... ... ... ..

The effect of population density on egg weight,
feed conversion and mortality of Coturnix quail . .

The effect of papulation density on the onset of
sexual maturity of Coturnix quail . . . . . . . . .

12

1a

17

19

20

INTRODUCTION

Recent interest has been shown in the use of the Coturnix
quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica, as a pilot animal for poultry
research. This interest has stimulated the accumulation of data
in the nutrition and management, incubatiOn and brooding, and the
behavior and physical characteristics of this avian species.

This study was undertaken in an attempt to determine the
effects of floor space on the growth, egg production, fertility,
and hatchability of the Coturnix quail. It was also our objective
to accumulate evidence on the possibility of using Coturnix quail
to replace chickens or turkeys in management experiments of this
type. More specifically it is our hope to apply the results of this
study to the problem of determining the optimum space necessary to
rear light breeds of chicken pullets in cenfinement.

It should be remembered that floor space requirements are
influenced by the environment in the house or pen in question.

Some of the factors which influence this environment are: (1) the
size of the pen or house, (2) the type of ventilation provided,

(3) the condition of the floor, (A) the type of equipment provided,
(5) the degree to which the house is insulated or heated and (6)

the prevailing climate.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Very little information has been published concerning the
amount of floor space required by Coturnix quail for Optimum growth
and reproduction. It has been recommended that quail raised in
outdoor community cages, in Missouri, be allowed 2.0 to 2.6 square
feet Of space per bird (Stanford, 1957). Padgett and Ivey (1959)
have suggested approximately 1.h square feet of space per bird under
similar conditions in Alabama. ‘Wilson, et a1. (1961) reported that
in a relatively crowded pen (20.5 square inches per quail) sexual
maturity was delayed about one week when this crowded pen was com-
pared with pens under Optimum management conditions. Optimum manage-
ment conditions were not defined in this paper.

Though little experimentation has been done with floor space
allotments for Coturnix quail, some work has been done'with chickens
and turkeys. Theoretically, we might expect quail to react in some-
what the same manner as chickens or turkeys in studies of this type.
No documented reports could be located concerning the Optimum space
allotment for chicken pullets. It has been recommended that light
breeds of chicken pullets be allowed 2 square feet of floor space
per bird when raised in confinement on a litter floor (Rice and
Botsford, 1956; Winter and Funk, 1960; and.many others).

The fact that the growth rate of chicken broilers is depressed
by increasing the population density beyond certain limits has been

repeatedly demonstrated (Brooks, et al., 1957; Hartung, 1955; Moreng,

et al., 1961; and Siegel and Coles, 1958). Many researchers have
demonstrated that egg production of chickens can be depressed by
increasing the population density in the house or pen (Kimber,
1941; Hoffmann and Tomhave, 19A5; Siegel, 1959; Fox and Clayton,
1960; Nordskog, 1959; and Godfrey and Butler, 1959). Crowding
turkey breeder hens has resulted in lower fertility in naturally

mated turkeys (Welford, 1959).

OBJECTIVES

It is the Objective Of this experiment to determine:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

The effect of floor space on the growth and mortality of
Coturnix quail between three weeks Of age and sexual
maturity.

The effect of floor space on egg weight, egg production,
mortality, fertility, hatchability and the number of checked
and broken eggs of mature Coturnix quail.

The advisability Of expending funds on a project using
chicken pullets in an attempt to determine the amount Of
floor space necessary to raise an acceptable pullet in
confinement.

The feasibility of using Coturnix quail to replace chickens

or turkeys for management studies Of this type.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
A. Procurement and handling of stock:

Fertile Japanese quail eggs from the stock at the Michigan
State University Experimental Poultry Farm were randomly selected
and hatched in Jamesway 262 forced draft type incubators. During
the first fourteen days Of incubation the eggs were held at a
temperature of 99.0 to 100.0 degrees F. dry bulb and 86 to 87 degrees
F. wet bulb. On the fourteenth day of incubation the eggs were trans-
ferred to a hatcher where the temperature was 98.5 to 99.0 degrees F.
dry bulb and 88.0 to 92.0 degrees F. wet bulb. The eggs were set in
standard Jamesway egg trays which were modified to hold quail eggs.
This was done by slicing egg flats into strips and placing them in
the egg trays to hold the smaller eggs.

The chicks were removed from the hatcher on the eighteenth
day of incubation and placed in Jamesway backwarmer type starting
batteries. The chicks were reared on paper for the first seven
days. At this time the paper was removed and the chicks were held
in the battery until three weeks of age. The birds were then wing
banded, individually weighed, and randomly divided into five experi—
mental groups. Eight quail were placed in group one, sixteen in
group two, twenty-four in group three, thirty-two in group four,

and forty in group five.

B. Housing:

Each group was placed in a pen containing two square feet of

floor space. This resulted in placing quail at concentrations of

four, eight, twelve, sixteen, and twenty birds per square foot.
Twelve pens, which are subsequently described, were available for
the five experimental groups. The groups were assigned to pens by
placing the twelve pen numbers in a hat and drawing numbers from
the hat without replacement. Group one was assigned to the first
pen number drawn, group two to the second and so on until all groups
were assigned. Only five Of the twelve pens were used for the first
replication, the second five pen numbers drawn were assigned to the
second replication with two pens remaining unused. The same pro-
cedure was used in placing the third replication in a neighboring
battery.

The experimental pens were located in Jamesway'backwarmer
type starting batteries in which the heating units had been raised
5.5 inches above the wire mesh floor. Four pens were partitioned
Off in the center Of each of the three intermediate decks Of the
battery. The center partition and the outer feed trough were used
to form two sides of these new pens. Plywood one-fourth of an inch
thick was used to form the back wall or the pens. One-eighth inch
mesh hardware cloth was used to close the Open ends. The finished
pens were 16.75 inches by 17.125 inches and contained 287 square
inches Of floor space per pen. All measurements were made to the

nearest one-eighth Of an inch.

C. Management:

All groups were allowed one-half linear inch of feeder space
and one-fourth linear inch of drinking space per bird. Feed and

water were kept befOre the various groups at all times. The heating

units of all levels were adjusted to 95 degrees F. before the birds
were placed in the experimental pens. The heat was decreased 5
degrees per week until the temperature reached 80 degrees F. This
temperature was measured on the inside of the heating unit. The
air temperature in the pens 2.5 inches below the outer edge of the
heater was checked occasionally and ranged from 8 to 12 degrees
below that recorded on the heater thermometers. The air temperature
in the room ranged from 37 degrees F. to 75 degrees F. during this
experiment.
All groups received continuous (ZA-hour) lighting which pro-
vided 10 or more foot candles of light at the level Of the feed
and a minimum Of 8 foot candles of light in all parts of the pen.
A turkey starter ration (Table 1) was fed throughout the experiment.
To keep pOpulation density constant, birds which died were
immediately replaced with male Quail of the same age which had been
reared in the same battery. These replacements were not included

in the data on body weight or egg production.
D. Egperimental design and measurements:

The experiment was repeated three times using a new group
of birds for each repetition. The quail were placed in the experi-
mental pens at or before three weeks of age and were weighed indi-
vidually once each week during the nineaweek experimental period.
The eggs were gathered daily and production records were maintained
on a pen basis. The eggs were weighed, candled, and set every four
to seven days depending upon production and convenience. This was

also done on a group basis. The eggs were incubated as previously

Table 1:

(56 TSAM-l).

1

Ground yellow corn
Pulverized heavy oats
Wheat stand, middlings
Alfalfa meal, 17% prot.
Soybean Oil meal, solv. h4%
Fishmeal, red

Meat and bone scraps, 50%
Dried.whey

Ground limestone

Steamed bone meal

Salt , iodized

MnSOu

Vit. A palmitate 5000/gm.
Vit. D 1500/gm.

Vit. 312 6 mg/lb
Terramycin TM-5

Choline chloride, 25%
Methionine

Vit. E 20,000/lb

Niacin

Riboflavin

___'

Michigan State University turkey starter ration formula

1(2 Ton

300
50
50
50

350
60
60
20

20

0.25

0.4
0.25
0.2
20 grams

0.5 grams

 

described. On the eighteenth day the quail chicks were removed
and the eggs which failed to hatch were broken out and examined
macroscopically to determine fertility. All egg weights and body
weights were measured to the nearest gram. The feed consumption
was measured on the last group of birds during the period from

three to five weeks Of age.

E. Statistical analysis

The body weight comparisons made in this study were analyzed
using a threeeway analysis of variance model as described by Ostle,
1956. Egg production, egg weight, sound eggs per hen, fertility
and hatchability comparisons were analyzed using a twoaway analysis
Of variance model (Dixon and.Massey, 1957). Comparisons between
individual means were made using Tukey's q statistic (Dixon and
Massey, 1957). Tukey's method of comparing means allows one to
be ninety-five percent sure (x1: .05) that a confidence interval
computed on the mean of any random sample will contain the true

mean of the population.

RESULTS

A. Body weight

The mean body weights Of the five population densities which
were compared in this eXperiment are shown in Table 2. No signifi:
cant differences could be demonstrated between any of the means at
either six or twelve weeks of age. At the start of the experiment
(three weeks of age) the mean weight of females was not significantly
greater than the mean weight of the males. However, at six, nine
and twelve weeks of age the mean weight of the females was shown
to be significantly greater than the mean weight of the males (5;:

.01). The difference in body weight due to sex is shown in Figure 1.

B. Egg production

The percent egg production, at the five pOpulation densities
compared in this study, is shown in Table 3 and Figure 2. The nume
ber Of eggs per quail hen, at the five population densities, is
shown in Table 4 and Figure 3. It was determined, using the analysis
of variance technique, that the five means are heterogenous at the
five percent level of significance.

The following comparison was made using confidence intervals

based on Tukey's q statistic (Dixon and Massey, 1957).

10

11

Total Eggs per Quail Hen; (QC: .05)

 

 

 

Means 34.3 26.7 31.0 28.9 25.9
POpulation density 4 8 12 16 20
(Birds/sq.ft.)

 

1Any two means not overscored by the same line are significantly
different, and any two means overscored by the same line are not
significantly different

Table 2. The effect of population density on body weight of Coturnix

 

 

 

quail
Quail per Mean body Mean body
sq.ft. floor weight at 6 weight at 12
space wks. Of age(gms)3 "wks. Of age(gms)3
4 108.8 1 2.26 1211.1 2‘. 3.00
8 109.8 _+_ 2.39 130.5 i 2.43
12 109.3 1 1.69 - 1211.2 2: 2.14
16 108.1 1 1.59 122.9 1 2.16
20 108.2 .t 1.26 121.8 3: 1.65

 

1No significant differences «XL: .05) due to floor space.

ZSee Appendix for a detailed breakdown of the number of males and
females in each experimental group.

3Expressed as mean weight :,the estimated standard error of the mean.

C. Checked eggs

The percent Of the total eggs which were checked (Table 3) and
the number of sound eggs per quail hen (Table 4 and Figure 3) are of
interest in this study. A comparison Of the mean eggs per hen, at
the five population densities, indicates that they are significantly

heterogenous (CC = .0 5) .

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The following comparison was made using Tukey's q statistic

(Dixon and Massey, 1957).

Sound eggs_pergguail hen1 «XI: .05)

 

 

 

Means 21.9 15.4 16.1 13.0 8.0
POpulation density 4 8 12 16 20
(Birds/sq.ft.)

 

1Any two means not overscored by the same line are significantly
different, and any two means overscored by the same line are not
significantly different.

Table 3. The effect Of population density on egg production, fertility,
hatchability and the percent of checked eggs

T

 

 

 

 

 

Quail per 4-8 Hatch of
square foot Egg Checked Fertile fertile

of floor production1 eggs eggs eggs
space (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)

4 61.7 36.3 94.6 76.7

8 47.3 41.3 80.6 61.5

12 55.0 47.2 76.1 68.8

16 51.9 55.0 83.7 65.7

20 44.9 68.1 75.9 59.3

 

1Expressed on a hen day basis for the entire period from 6 to 13 weeks
of age.
2Based on the total number of eggs produced minus checked eggs.

D. Fertilitygand hatchability

The percent of fertile eggs and the percent of fertile eggs

which hatched are shown in Table 3 and Figure 2 for each of the five

14

Figure 2: The effect of population density on egg production,
fertility and hatchability.

Percent
100.0 ~r

90.0 “

80.0 1’

 

(Fertility)1

70.0 -4—

60.0 ‘1? (Hatchahility)2

50.0 ~P

(Egg Production)

40.0 “

 

i 1
12 16 20

Population Density
Birds/sq. ft.

-b

30.0

_L
l
8

0
tree

1Based on sound eggs only
2Percent of fertile eggs which hatched

15
population densities compared in this study. The number of fertile
eggs per quail hen and the number of chicks per quail hen, at the
various population densities are shown in Table 4 and Figure 3.
Both of these groups of means were significantly heterogenous at
the five percent level.
The following comparisons were made using Tukey's q statistic

(Dixon and Massey, 1957).

Fertile eggs per quail: hen1 (DC: .05)

 

 

 

Means 20.7 12.5 12.3 10.9 6.1
Population density 4 8 12 16 20
(Birds/sq.ft.)

Quail chicksgper quail hen1 «x7: .05)

 

 

 

Means 15.9 7.7 8.5 7.1 3.6
POpulation density 4 ' 8 12 16 20
(Birds/sq.ft.)

 

1Any two means not overscored by the same line are significantly
different, and any two means overscored by the same line are not
significantly different

E. Egg weight, feed conversion and mortality

The effect of pOpulation density on egg weight is shown in
Table 4 and Figure 3. No significant differences could be demonstrated

between the egg weight means for the five population densities GIL: .05).

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Number per hen

17

Figure 3: The effect Of population density on total eggs per hen, sound
eggs per hen, fertile eggs per hen and chicks per hen.

 

 

 

35"-
307”
(total eggs
25.- per hen)
20‘?
15.0-
101_
(sound eggs
per hen)
(fertile eggs
5‘ per hen)
(chicks
per hen)
0 i t i i J.
O 4 8 12 16 20

POpulation Density
Birds/sq.ft.

18

Feed conversion measured between three and five weeks of
age (Fig. 4) ranged from a high Of 2.8 gm. feed/gm. of weight gain
to a low Of 2.2 gm. feed/gm. of weight gain. Mortality (Table 4)
was highest at population densities Of eight and sixteen birds per
square foot, lowest at four and twelve birds per square foot and

intermediate at 20 birds per square foot.
F. Onset of sexual maturity

It is evident from Figure 5 that during the first two weeks
of the laying period all population densities produced at about the
same level. This indicates that about one-half of the females have
reached sexual maturity by eight weeks of age. Only the lowest
population density laid at a rate commensurate with the genetic
potential of Coturnix quail (Wilson et al., 1961). The age at 50
percent production was about the same for all pOpulation densities

compared in this study.

19

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Egg Production (%)

 

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Figure 5: The effect Of population density on the onset of
90.; sexual maturity Of Coturnix quail.
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Age Weeks

DISCUSSION
A. Body weight

Coturnix quail have demonstrated a remarkable resistance to
crowding in this experiment. At six weeks of age, which is approxi-
mately equal in degree of maturity to a six-month-Old Single Comb
White Leghorn chicken, there was less than a two gram range between.
the high and the low body weight means of the five population densi-
ties compared in this experiment. Even after the quail had been
held in these same pens until twelve weeks of age, having been in
egg production for half of this period, the range in body weight
means did not exceed nine grams.

The quail housed at 16 and 20 birds per square foot were
poorly feathered and the plumage was frayed and dirty during the
latter five or six weeks of the experimental period. Social order
seemed to be more important in these very crowded pens and there
‘was a greater range in body weights. These birds, however, did not
show a greater number of injuries and their health appeared to be
equivalent to that Of birds in less dense pens.

As previously indicated, quail housed at four and eight square
feet per bird were relatively well feathered with plumage which did
not show excessive wear. Quail housed at 12 birds per square foot
were intermediate in amount and quality of feathering.

The females at every floor space level were significantly
heavier than the males (Fig. 1). This was expected and occurs with

21

22

Coturnix quail housed under various environmental conditions (Stanford,
1957; Padgett and Ivey, 1959; Wilson et al., 1961).

The ability Of these quail to grow under very crowded condi-
tions was not expected, particularly in light of the report by Wilson
et al. (1961) that under relatively crowded conditions (seven birds/

sq. ft.) sexual maturity was delayed about one week.
B. Egg production and checked eggs

Egg production expressed on a hen day basis (Fig. 2) shows,
in general, a downward trend with increased pOpulation density. It
was possible to demonstrate that the egg production Of quail hens
housed at 20 birds per square foot was significantly lower (at. = .0 5)
than the production of quail housed at four birds per square foot.
In general, egg production was depressed at the higher pOpulation
densities as compared to four birds per square foot.

The percent of checked eggs increased as the pOpulation
density was increased (Table 3). A statistical comparison of the
means shows that quail housed at four birds per square foot produced
a significantly greater number of sound eggs per hen than the quail
housed at 20 birds per square foot. In general, the eggs from the
lower population densities were much cleaner than eggs from the
higher population densities.

The large number Of checked and dirty eggs from the high
density pens indicates that it is undesirable to confine birds at
these high densities when the eggs are to be used for some purpose.
If pens were designed with an inclined floor (similar to community

cages) this disadvantage might be overcome.

23

C. Fertility and hatchability

As previously indicated, with quail housed at four birds per
square foot, the mean fertile eggs per quail hen and the mean chicks
per quail hen were Significantly greater than these means when quail
were housed at 20 birds per square foot. However, we must consider
that the greater number of sound eggs per quail hen in the low density
pen (Table 4) make the previous conclusion less meaningful.

The fertility expressed as a percent of sound eggs and the
hatchability expressed as a percent of fertile eggs (Fig. 2) are
probably more meaningful. In general, fertility decreased as pOpu-
lation density increased. However, considerable variation occurred
between the five population densities. These variations and the
general decrease in fertility with increased population density are
probably due to several factors. The ratio of males to females was
not the same in all groups. NO attempt was made to control the
male—female ratio in this experiment; the ratio being left entirely
to chance. In the extremely crowded pens interference during mating
was Often observed and this may have caused a decrease in fertility.
Other factors such as preferential mating and the potency of males
may have influenced fertility but it seems unlikely that these fac—
tors were Of much importance in explaining the differences Observed,
considering the number Of birds which were involved in the experi-
mental groups.

The small decrease in hatchability (Table 3) which occurred
with increased population density was probably due to the lower

quality of the eggs which came from these pens. As previously

24 .

stated, the eggs from these pens were contaminated with feces and
urates and probably more Of these eggs were checked. It is likely
that more eggs with small checks may have been missed during candling
due to the dirty condition and the increased percentage of checks
among these eggs. Bacterial contamination and the increased number
of checks could have resulted in higher embryo mortality in these

groups.
D. Egg weight, feed conversion and mortality

No significant differences were found due to egg weight in
this study (Table 4). The slight increase in egg weight at the
higher population densities was probably due to an increase in
dirty eggs at these densities. Fecal material adhering to many Of
the eggs probably caused the slight increase in average egg weight
which was Observed.

Feed conversion data (Fig. 4) do not indicate any important
differences. Feed conversion is somewhat difficult to obtain with
growing quail because small amounts of feed are involved and the
quail bill out feed to a considerable extent unless particular care
is taken to prevent feed.wastage. The magnitude of the feed conver-
sion figures (2.20 .. 2.76 gm. feed/gm. of gain) suggest that Coturnix
quail are efficient in the utilization of feed. Two factors are
important in considering the feed conversion figures. First, the
feed conversion was measured from three to five weeks Of age which
is approximately equivalent to three to five months of age in the
domestic chicken. Secondly, the ration fed in this study was a
relatively low energy ration (733 calories per pound) approximately

equivalent to a pullet-grower ration.

25

Mortality (Fig. 4) does not show any definite pattern or trend.
Mortality in some pens was quite high (11 to 13 percent) for an ex-
periment of this length. This is about one percent per week as com-
pared to the one percent per month which is about average for chickens.
An important consideration here, however, is that a considerable num-
ber of the deaths resulted from mechanical injury to quail. These
injuries occurred in some pens due to faulty equipment and were
completely independent of density. It would have been desirable to
separate the mortality due to these injuries from the other mortality
figures but unfortunately in some cases it was impossible to deter-
mine for certain that death.was the direct result of a mechanical
injury. For this reason, mortality figures do not contribute much

to the overall picture in this experiment.
E. Onset of sexual maturity

The reproductive organs of a mature Coturnix female weigh
from 7 to 17 grams (Wilson et al., 1961). This weight is added
very rapidly at the onset of egg production. For this reason,
individual body weight records can be used to determine when a quail
reaches sexual maturity. On this basis, and considering the egg
production (Fig. 5), it can be seen that all groups of quail reached
sexual maturity at about the same time.

During the period from the eighth to the thirteenth week Of
the experimental period, the egg production Of quail at the higher
pOpulation densities was lower than the egg production at the lower
pOpulation densities. In this experiment, the reduced production

observed among birds at the higher population densities seems to be

26

due to a relatively larger number of females which did not produce
eggs, rather than to lowered production per hen. The body weight
records indicate that a relatively larger number Of female quail

in these high density pens never reached sexual maturity.

F. General discussion

It has been previously stated that one objective of this study
was to determine the feasibility of applying data obtained with
Coturnix quail to chickens and turkeys. It is also our stated Ob-
jective to apply this experimental evidence to the problem of how
much floor space is required in the rearing of light breeds Of
chicken pullets.

One method of applying the experimental evidence from this
study to chicken pullets would be to make an actual conversion of
the physical data on the basis of body weight, body diSplacement
or some other quantitative measurement. It is the author's opinion
that any such direct conversion would be relatively meaningless
unless considerable experimentation was conducted to verify the
validity of the conversion units employed. ‘we can, however, deter-
mine the effect of a particular treatment on Coturnix quail and
using these results decide on the advisability Of conducting further
experiments of the same type with larger, more expensive Species.

The results of this study show that Coturnix quail can be
successfully raised to sexual maturity in less space than is required
for maximum egg production and fertility. Furthermore, although the
data is not complete to the point of eliminating all other possi-

bilities, it suggests that sexual maturity would not be delayed among

27

birds reared in concentrated pens and then placed in less concen-

trated pens at the onset of egg production.

28

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Coturnix quail were raised in concentrations which ranged
from four to twenty birds per square foot Of floor Space.

No significant (at = .05) reduction in growth occurred as a
result Of crowding under the conditions which existed in

this experiment.

When quail were housed at concentrations exceeding eight birds
per square foot a considerable number of checked and dirty
eggs were obtained.

Egg production and body weight data indicate that some female
quail, at the higher population densities, probably never
produced eggs.

Fertility and hatchability data indicate that concentrations
exceeding eight quail per square foot are probably not practi-
cal with quail where reproduction is desired.

It appears from this data that if chickens tend to react in
the same manner as Coturnix quail to high density rearing,
then they could be raised successfully in the same or less
space than needed for good egg production. On the basis Of
this experiment, it appears that a study of floor space re-

quirements for chicken pullets might be in order.

29

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Howes, J. R. and‘W. D. Ivey, 1962. Coturnix quail for veterinary
research. J. Am. Vet. Med. Ass'n. 140: 162-163.

Kimber, J. E., 1941. Floor space project: A progress report. The
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30

Nordskog, A. W., 1959. How much can you crowd layers? Poultry
Tribune, January, p. 16.

Ostle, Bernard, 1956. Statistics in Research. Iowa State College
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Padgett, C. A. and W. D. Ivey, 1959. Coturnix quail as a laboratory
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Coturnix quail. Anat. Record 137(1): 1-11.

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224.

Siegel, H. S., 1959. Egg production characteristics and adrenal
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Siegel, P. B. and R. H. Coles, 1958. Effects of floor space on
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Snedecor, G.‘W. and W. G. Cochran, 1959. Statistical Methods.
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Stanek, J. A. and G. O. Bressler, 1961. Solar and.windowless house
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Stanford, J. A., 1957. A progress report Of Coturnix quail investi-
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.......Coturnix quail. Poultry Sci. 38: 1260.

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turkey breeder hens. M.S. thesis, Michigan State University.

31

APPENDIX

The number Of males and females in each experimental group at six
weeks Of age

_M
L

 

ML

 

Replication 1 Replication 2

 

 

 

 

 

Population Population
density density
(Birds/ sq. ft .) Males Females (Birds [59 . ft . 2 Males Females
4 5 3 4 5 3
8 2 11 8 9 6
12 13 10 12 10 14
16 9 22 16 15 17
20 26 12 20 16 22
Replication 3 All Replications combined
Population Population
density density
(Birds/sq.ftg) Males Females (Birds/sq.ftl), Males Females
4 4 3 4 14 9
8 6 8 8 17 25
12 14 9 12 37 33
16 16 14 16 40 53
20 19 21 20 61 55

 

1.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

I7'7111111711111111T '