Physiological variables and egg quality from quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) that received water with increasing levels of NaCl and under different temperatures

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of water salinity and ambient temperature on the physiological variables and the quality of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the laying phase. The quails received water with increasing levels of salinity (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1) and were kept in climatic chambers under two different temperatures (24ºC and 32ºC). The design used was completely randomised, with a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement (temperatures and salinity levels), with six replicates of eight birds each. Data were submitted for analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5%. There was no influence (P > 0.05) of water salinity levels on the physiological variables nor on the quality of the birds’ eggs. At 32oC there was an increase (P < 0.05) in respiratory rate, cloacal and body surface temperature of the birds, and a slight reduction (P < 0.05) in the weight of eggs, shells, and percentage of shell. For laying quails, water with salinity levels of up to 6.0 dSm-1 can be used and the birds can be raised in an environment with temperatures up to 32ºC.