Effect of reserpine drug on performance of laying japanese quail reared with two densities under hot climate [electronic resouce].

Includes references.

An experiment employing a factorial arrangement of three levels of reserpine and two densities were carried out with 270 laying Japanese quail through the experimental period (7 to 22 weeks of age). Reserpine levels were maintained at 0.0 (Control), 0.5 and 1.0 ppm / kg of diet. Two housing densities were used 3 birds (7.5 Cm2/ bird) vs. 4 birds (5.6 Cm2/ bird) per cage. Birds were randomly divided into three treatment groups, each group were divided into two densities each in three replicates. Basal diets were formulated according to recommended requirements of NRC (1994). Diets and water were supplied ad libitum along the experimental time. The experimental lasted 108 days after start. Temperature and humidity 35OC and 65% respectively along the experimental period. Results obtained could be summarized as follows: 1- Final body weight; egg production, egg weight, egg mass, egg characteristics, fertility and hatchability percentage significantly (P<0.05) increased with increasing of reserpine level. While feed conversion and mortality rate significantly (P<0.05) decreased as the level of reserpine increased. Feed intake was not significantly affected. 2- Significant (P<0.05) interaction were noted in final weight; egg production, egg weight; egg mass, feed conversion and mortality rate percentage. 3- Rectal body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate; total plasma protein, albumin and total lipids were significantly (P<0.05) decreased as reserpine level increased. While plasma globulin recorded the reverse trend. Plasma triglyceride was not significantly affected by increasing reserpine level in diets. 4- Insignificant differences were observed of density effect on egg quality traits or physiological and haematological parameters of laying Japanese quail.

Summary in Arabic.

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