Effect of Photoperiod on Some Zootechnical Performances of Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Raised in Cage in Côte D’Ivoire

Abstract

A study was conducted in Ismorel farm at Adiake, Côte d'Ivoire, to determine effect of photoperiod on some zootechnical performances of the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). One-day-old quail was separated into two photoperiodic groups, including group A (NL: 12-AL: 12) and group B (NL: 12-AL: 0). After one week of age, each group was divided into two subgroups. Group A was divided into subgroups A1 (NL: 12-AL: 12) and A2 (NL: 12-AL: 4) while group B was divided into subgroups B1 (NL: 12-AL: 0) and B2 (NL: 12-AL: 4). The experiment lasted 18 months with 6 months for a repetition, it ran from November 2016 to May 2018. During this experiment, 2960 chicks were used for the experiment and 2775 eggs were collected to determine fertility rate and hatching rate. Results showed a significant effect (p <0.05) of photoperiod on body weight in favor of group A (NL: 12-AL: 12) and subgroup A1 (NL: 12-AL: 12).A significant difference (p <0.05) in photoperiod on egg weight, egg diameter, and egg laying rate was observed in favor of quail in A1 (NL: 12-AL: 12) and B1 (NL: 12-AL: 0). On the other hand, photoperiod had no influence (p> 0.05) on the length of eggs, fertility rate, hatching rate and mortality rate according to different subgroups formed