Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), PB, Brasil.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), PB, Brasil.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), PB, Brasil.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), PB, Brasil.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), PB, Brasil.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), PB, Brasil.
Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), PB, Brasil.
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein on the respiratory rate and the rectal and surface temperatures of 360 European quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) raised on the Brazilian semiarid. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 3 per 2 factorial arrangement consisting of three protein levels (20, 21 and 22%) and two energy levels (3050 and 3150 kcal/kg). We measured the physiological parameters of the quail at 42 days of age. The average rectal temperature noted in this experiment was 41.8°C, which was within the normal range. A significant effect (P <0.05) was verified at the levels of 21 and 22% of crude protein and 3150 kcal/kg. We found that the animals presented the highest respiratory rate in this setting, which is evidence that the panting mechanism results in maintaining thermal homeostasis. The surface temperature of the animals was lower for the 3050 kcal/kg diets. Levels of 21 and 22% of crude protein and 3150 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy were associated with the largest weight gain and the best feed conversion.
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