Effects of cage systems and feeding time on the morphological structure of female genital organs in pharaoh quails (Coturnix coturnix pharaoh)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different cage systems and feeding time on female genital organs in 40 pharaoh quails (Coturnix coturnix pharaoh). The birds were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (2 levels of feeding time x 2-cage system) consisting of 10 quails per treatment. Quails were trained on feeding time (0900; to 1700, or continuous - full day), cage (multiple-bird cage or colony cage) conditions. Body mass, ovary and oviduct mass and their ratio to body mass and oviduct length was measured. Number of follicles was calculated and classified as small, medium and large, based on their diameter. The cage system did not significantly affect reproductive organs, but this was not the case for oviduct length (P<0.01). Feeding time also did not significantly affect follicle numbers, except medium follicle numbers (P<0.05). The medium number of follicles in the full day feeding was more than that of the 0900 to 1700 feeding. Total numbers of follicles in multiple-bird cage were higher than those of colony cage birds.