Quail (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) welfare in two confinement systems

W.M. Nordi
K.C.E. Yamashiro
M. Klank
R. Locatelli-Dittrich
R.N. Morais
A.I. Reghelin
C.F.M. Molento

Open link

Publication date

August 2012

DOI

10.1590/S0102-09352012000400029

Publisher

FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

ISSN

0102-0935

Journal

issn:1678-4162

Citation count (estimate)

Abstract

The intensification of animal production systems presents a potential impact on the welfare of animals. The objective of this work was to assess the welfare of quail Coturnixcoturnix japonicain two maintenance systems: battery cages (BC),and enriched aviary (EA),with saw-dust bedding, sand-bathing area and nests. The experiment procedure involved eight animals per holding area and four repetitions per treatment, an overall of 64 quails. Welfare was assessed through behavioral freedom, sanitary freedom (feather condition and injuries), blood analyses and glicocorticoid metabolites measurement in droppings. Results are presented in the BC order, followed by EA. Water drinking behavior and agonistic behavior were different between treatments (...