Effect of different breeding systems on growth performance, carcass and meat quality of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of housing at different raising conditions on growth performance, carcass and meat quality parameters of Japanese quails. Three different breeding systems applied at this study; first group at cage system, second group at cage+ground system (0-2 week at cage, 3-6 week at ground) and third group at ground system. At the end of study the best results at live weight, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were obtained from quails reared at cage system. Carcass and meat quality parameters were determined during the 5th and 6th week of trial. There were no significant difference between groups at 6th week whereas highest results at carcass and meat quality parameters obtained from group raised at cage system at 5th week of trial. Highest values at 5th week obtained from ground raised group in terms of leg weight ratio and cage raised group in terms of breast main part ratio which were main parts of carcass. Only differences in breast weight ratio were obtained from carcass main parts at 6th week. Difference at pH values determined only for 6th week, difference between cooking loss(%) values determined for 5th and 6th week. Generally it was found that there were no effects of raising systems on L, a, b (L: Lightness, a: redness, and b: yellowness) values of breast meat for 5th and 6th week. As a result, ıt was concluded that raising of Japanese quails at cage systems give better results in terms of carcass and performance parameters.