Indian Journal of Animal Research

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Research Article

Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 51 issue 3 (june 2017) : 541-548

The effects of environmental enrichment objects on behaviors of Japanese quails at different cage stocking densities

Atilla Taskin*, Ufuk Karadavut
1<p>Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture,&nbsp;University of Ahi Evran, Kirsehir, Turkey.</p>
Cite article:- Taskin* Atilla, Karadavut Ufuk (2016). The effects of environmental enrichment objects on behaviors ofJapanese quails at different cage stocking densities . Indian Journal of Animal Research. 51(3): 541-548. doi: 10.18805/ijar.10772.

ABSTRACT

The aim  of this study is  to investigate  the behaviors of  and monitor the changes  on behaviors of Japanese quails reared in different stocking density, through using different objects, (small red balls, bunch of rope, mirrors and beads) providing  environmental enrichment (EE) in the cages of  quails. Six hundred of 1 day old Japanese quail chicks (mixed sex) were used in this study. Birds were reared in battery cages with four floors, each of which has two separations. The quails were placed in cage dimension in the quantities of 10 quails (lower density: LD) and of 20 quails (higher density: HD) per separation. Our hypothesis was that EE would improve the welfare of quails. The birds were observed in their cages naturally in accordance with one-zero sampling, and home cage avoidance test was performed for these birds. While the applications have significant effect on feeding and relaxation behaviors (P<0.05 levels) in LD environment, the effect of comfort, social and other behaviors was realized at P<0.01 levels in the same environment. However in HD environment, only rest behavior was affected significantly in P<0.05 level, the other properties were affected in P<0.01 levels. The live weights weren’t affected from EE (for LD, P=0.134 and for HD P=0.216). It was determined in the result of this study that the objects hung in the quail cages had potential effect to improve the welfare of quails.

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