Mohamed El Sabry

The quail populations are considered to be one of the largest among the poultry species. Although quail egg and meat production are growing rapidly, still, quail farming practices and welfare aspects are not well established. Stocking density is one of the factors that can significantly affect the welfare, health, and performance of birds, but according to The Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production, no allowed space standards have been reported for new hybrids and different breeds of quail. This review presents an overview of 1) the benefits of egg and meat of quail, 2) the global market of quail products, 3) the factors affecting the stocking density rate, and 4) the effects of stocking density rates and housing systems on the social behavior, welfare, physiological indices, and performance parameters of broiler and laying quail. Conclusively, larger space and enriched aviaries reduce aggressive behavior, and improve the quail welfare and immunological indices. However, the effect of stocking density on some blood biochemical indices and growth performance parameters showed mixed results. A better understanding of the relationship between housing, health, growth performance, and welfare aspects would assist in the implementation of welfare-economic standards for quail production. According to available data, stocking density ranges for broiler and laying Japanese quail are suggested; however, these stocking rates should be tested under different conditions.

The present study was conducted to interpret the effect of magnetic field on water pH and calcium form, and evaluate semen quality, fertility and hatchability rates of Fayoumi chickens receiving magnetized drinking water (MDW). A total of 180 Fayoumi chickens (20 roosters + 160 hens), 54 weeks of age, were divided into two groups. The first group served as control, which received regular drinking water, and the second group was treated with MDW. Semen was collected twice (at day 15 and day 30 of the experiment) to determine semen quality. Fertility and hatchability were determined in two patches of hatching eggs through 1-15 and 16-30 days of the experiment. Results showed that the roosters of MDW group had higher live sperm and sperm motility ratios than those of the control group throughout the experimental period (1-30 days). The abnormal sperm ratio and methylene blue reaction time of MDW-received roosters were significantly lower than those of control roosters. Fertility and hatchability percentages of MDW group were greater compared to those of regular drinking water. Conclusively, alterations in the physiochemical characteristics of MDW and the calcium form can play a role in improving semen quality, fertility, and hatchability percentages during the late laying phase.

Protein production from animal origin should increase to meet the needs of a growing global population. This article presents an overview on copper (Cu) forms and their importance for animals' physiological functions. Moreover, it will focus on the current and promising nano-Cu applications in poultry, livestock, and fish production systems. Use of Cu as a feed additive directly or indirectly impacts the human food chain and may affect the safety and/or quality of food. Finally, the expected risks and hazards related to the use of nano-Cu that can affect animals, humans, and the environment are described. It is concluded that nano-Cu applications have the potential to provide an efficient solution for reducing the Cu amount in the poultry, livestock, and fish diets, which can help in reducing costs and environmental contamination and increasing animals' productivity. However, concerns over the safety of nano-Cu applications hamper their immediate implementation. Thus, rigorous risk assessments should be conducted to ensure the safety of animal-origin products in the case of supplementation animal diets with nano-copper.

This study was carried out to investigate the impact of chicken interleukin-2 rich supernatant (ChIL2-rich supernatant) on humoral immune response against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), and its side effects on production and reproduction performances. Eighty 40-week old female and ten male Fayoumi hens were vaccinated with NDV (La Sota strain). The treated birds were co-administered with ChIL2rich supernatant. While, the control birds were injected with saline. Data were collected during the period from 40 to 45 weeks of age. The results indicated that ChIL2-rich supernatant injection enhanced the humoral immunity against NDV antigens throughout the experimental period. It also increased the relative spleen weight. On the other hand, ChIL2-rich supernatant injection did not influence relative liver and ovary weights, hen day egg production, egg weights, fertility or hatchability significantly. The results of this study demonstrated that, ChIL2-rich supernatant injection could be safely used as an adjuvant to enhance the humoral immunity against NDV with no deleterious effects on production or reproduction performances.