Desempenho produtivo de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) submetidas a diferentes densidades e tipos de debicagem

Abstract

This experiment evaluated the effects of beak-trimming in japanese quail pullet phase development; and of beaktrimming combined to different housing densities on their laying performance. For the pullet phase, the experiment had a randomized design with three treatments (absent, soft and severe debeaking), each with sixteen-birds repetition. For the laying phase, the experiment had randomized design with factorial scheme, with six treatments: three beak trimmings (absent, soft and severe), two densities (75 cm2/bird or 103 cm2/bird) and four repetitions, with 16 or 22 birds per cage. The results in pullet phase showed that quails submitted to absent or soft beak trimming had better weigh at the pullet phase’s end, but hard beak trimming did not affect sexual maturity. During the laying phase, hard beaktrimming resulted in low mortality and better feed conversion, independently of density. This work results showed the advisability of beak trimming.