Torres Burgos, Yahaira Ivette

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Effect of slaughter age on quail (Coturnix japonica) growth, meat quality, and feed efficiency in Puerto Rico
(2021-05-12) Torres Burgos, Yahaira Ivette; Domenech Pérez, Katherine I.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Sánchez Rodríguez, Héctor L.; Casas Guernica, Américo; Pagán Morales, Melvin; Department of Animal Science; Rúa De La Asunción, Armando J.
This study evaluated the growth and economic efficiency of raising quail in Puerto Rico while considering changes in meat quality due to age and sex to identify an optimal slaughter age. Carcass yield and composition, breast meat color, pH, tenderness, cost, and feed efficiency were measured. A total of 135 Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were use in a 5x2 factorial, where the main effects of slaughter age (28, 35, 42, 49, or 56d), gender (male or female), and their interaction were tested. Greatest carcass yield (67.24%) was obtained at 35d of age for both sexes. Abdominal fat increased in both sexes beginning at 42d. Age was the most influential factor affecting meat quality, where greater variability and decreased tenderness occurred as age increased. Greatest feed efficiency also occurred at 35d of age, with a feeding cost of $0.2720/quail. Considering all variables and our production conditions, optimal slaughter age was 35d.