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Effect of Photoperiod on Quail Processing Yields1
Effect of Photoperiod on Quail Processing Yields1 E. T. LEGARE, G. P. BIRRENKOTT, and K. K. HALE2 Poultry Science Department, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631 (Received for publication April 8, 1985)
1986 Poultry Science 65:631-635
INTRODUCTION
Coturnix quail {Coturnix coturnix japonica) have become an entree item primarily at restaurants as an alternative or complement to traditional meat dishes. A South Carolina producer sold over 3 million quail in 1980 (Odom, personal communication). Fundamental knowledge of processing parameters and quality of Coturnix, unlike most of the major meat species, is limited. Bobwhite quail are raised primarily for hunting preserves with some marketed as dressed birds. Bobwhite quail continue to gain weight through 20 wk of age, although the breast, wings, legs, head, and feet have reached their maximum size by 12 wk (Moore and Cain, 1975). Dawson et al. (1971) reported that New York dressed Bobwhite quail yield was 89% at 10 wk of age and 92% at 18 wk; ready-to-cook yields averaged 71%. Jones et al. (1979) noted that Coturnix grown on 8 hr of light and 16 hr of dark (8L:16D) had yields of 69% (based on preshrink weight) and 72% (after 15 hr feed and water withdrawal). These data are similar to those of Hayse and Marion (1973) for
8-week-old broilers (70.1% for females and 72% for males) and for 31 strains of turkeys that averaged 68 to 72.9% (Dobson, 1969). Sexual maturity and egg production have not been considered factors that affect processing yields of conventional meat type birds; most chickens and turkeys are slaughtered before development of sexual maturity. However, Coturnix grow rapidly and reach sexual maturity at an early age. It was reported by Wilson et al. (1961) that female Coturnix begin egg production at 5 to 6 wk of age. Data are limited on the effects of lighting on sexual maturity in relation to yields in Bobwhite and Coturnix quail. Leghorn hens processed after egg production had yields of 62% (Snyder and Orr, 1964). Jones et al. (1979) reported that Coturnix females in egg production at 9 wk of age had reduced processed yields.
1 Published with the approval of the director, South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station as Technical Contribution Number 2310. 2 Hale's Hardy Eggs, 612 Commercial Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32017.
631
Coturnix quail are grown commercially and experimentally (Hughes et al, 1983) on continuous light to attain a carcass weight of at least 113 g (4 oz). This is the size demanded by the institutional buyer. Based on data of Jones et al. (1979), a live weight of 148 g after shrink is adequate to provide a 113-g carcass. Jones and Hughes (1978) noted that Coturnix reached a mature body size of 162 g at 6 wk of age. Commercially produced Coturnix are sexually mature, and the females are in egg production during the final 2 to 3 wk of growout. If sexual maturity and egg production could
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
ABSTRACT Bobwhite quail were grown on a 14-hr photophase and Coturnix quail on 8, 10, 14, and 24-hr photophases to analyze the effects of lighting regimen and feed and water withdrawal on carcass weights and processing yields. Eight-week-old Coturnix grown on restricted light regimens had heavier carcasses and greater yields than the Coturnix grown on nonrestrictive light programs. The Coturnix that were grown on restricted light for 8 wk were almost as heavy as the Bobwhite grown for 16 wk. The increase in weight of the Coturnix carcasses was attributed to the delay in sexual maturity. Feed and water deprivation prior to processing resulted in a weight loss of .4%/hr during holding. Concomitant with this increase in shrink was a decrease in yield. Yield decreased at a rate of .15%/hr during the holding times studied. (Key words: quail, processing yields, lighting, Coturnix, Bobwhite, photoperiod)
632
LEGAREETAL.
be delayed (or prevented) by controlled lighting, a greater yield and heavier carcass could be produced. A series of trials were designed to investigate the influence of lighting regimens and feed and water withdrawal times on processing parameters of Coturnix and Bobwhite quail.
RESULTS Bobwhite quail grown for 16 wk on 14L: 10D averaged 129-g carcasses and 71.2% processing yields (Table 1). Coturnix quail grown 8 wk on 14L:10D had 112-g carcasses and yields of 62%. There were no sex differences in live and carcass weight or yields with the Bobwhites. Female Coturnix were significantly (P<.05) larger than their male counterparts in live and carcass weight, even though the female's processed yields (farm weight/carcass weight) were lower. Although the Bobwhite
Figure 1 is a compilation of data from Trials 1, 2, and 3. Percent shrink in all trials increased linearly with increased time of feed and water withdrawal. There was an average increase of .4% shrink/hr off feed and off water. Yield decreased at the rate of .15% for each hr of feed and water withdrawal (Fig. 1). DISCUSSION Even though the Coturnix quail had lower carcass weight than Bobwhite quail grown to approximately the same live weight in Trial 1, the shorter time required to produce quail of marketable size makes the Coturnix more appealing economically to commercial quail meat processors. Female Coturnix quail grown on 14L:10D exhibited much lower processed yields than male and female Bobwhite quail, presumably due to the more advanced sexual maturity of the Coturnix. Delay of sexual maturity should be an effective means of improving the efficiency of Coturnix grown for meat production.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three battery trials were conducted to examine the effects of lighting programs and feed and water withdrawal on the eviscerated weight and processing yields of Bobwhite and Dj strain Coturnix quail. Bobwhite quail were grown for 16 wk on 14L:10D and Coturnix were grown for 8 wk on 14L:10D in Trial 1. In Trial 2, Coturnix quail were grown on either an 8L:16D or 24L:0D for 8 wk. In the third trial, Coturnix quail were kept for 7 or 8 wk on a 10L:14D photoperiod. Feed and water withdrawal times ranged from 1 to 21 hr. The birds were processed in the poultry processing pilot plant at Clemson University. The birds were killed and bled by decapitation (Odom, 1973). After a 1-min bleed time, the birds were scalded for 2 min at 60 C in an Ashley Sure-Scald Model SS36 scalder and defeathered for 45 sec in a Barker Automatic Poultry Picker Model CPT. Quail were eviscerated by making a cut along the vertebrae and removing the viscera and neck. Weights were recorded at the time of feed and water withdrawal (farm weight) just prior to slaughter (held weight) and after evisceration and washing (carcass weight). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (Barr et al., 1982). Differences between means were determined by Student-Newman-Kuels test (Steel and Torrie, 1980) using the .05 level of probability.
and Coturnix were intentionally grown to approximately the same live weight, Bobwhite exhibited significantly (P<.05) greater carcass weight than Coturnix. Coturnix quail grown on 8 L T 6 D had significantly (P<.05) greater yields and heavier carcasses than Coturnix grown on 24L:0D (Table 2). There was no difference in farm weight between the birds grown on the two lighting regimens. The Coturnix grown with 8L:16D had a greater portion of carcasses over 113 g (4 oz). It should be noted that the birds in this trial had significantly lower live weight than the birds grown in the other trials. The decrease in weight was attributed to excessive heat (daytime temperatures above 40 C) during the trial. In Trial 3, Coturnix quail grown for 7 wk on 10L:14D had significantly lower average carcass weight than the average of birds grown on this photoperiod for an additional week (Table 3). The carcass weight of both sexes at 7 weeks of age were not different from the 8-week-old male carcasses. The carcasses from 8-week-old females were significantly (P<.05) heavier than the carcasses from 8-week-old males and both sexes at 7 weeks. The carcasses from 8-week-old Coturnix were significantly (P«.05) heavier and had a greater percent over 113 g than the carcasses from 7-week-old Coturnix quail. All carcasses regardless of age had average weight over 113 g (Table 3). It should be noted that there were no significant differences in yield due to age or sex.
633
QUAIL PROCESSING YIELDS
of carcasses over 113 g (4 oz) and exhibited less differences in yields due to gender (Table 2). With control of sexual maturity and increased efficiency, birds could be processed younger. Comparing Coturnix quail raised on 10L:14D and processed at either 7 or 8 weeks of age showed no difference in yields. The 8-week-old Coturnix produced a final product with an average well over the 113-g (4-oz) mini-
In Trial 2, a decrease in photoperiod to 8L: 16D inhibited sexual maturity in Coturnix quail as evidenced by visual inspection of viscera and lack of egg production, with inhibition of sexual maturity by a decreased light cycle, increased carcass weight and processing yield were obtained relative to birds raised under a constant 24L:0D photoperiod. Birds that were not sexually mature produced a greater proportion
Me;an weight Species
Sex
Bobwhite
Coturnix
Carcass
Yield 2
113g
173b 174b 174b
128a 129a 129a
71. ia 71.2a 71.2a
93 97 95
155c 190a 170b
107c 119b 112b
65.4b 57.4C 62.0b
19 79 44
188
88
7.3
n
Live
Male Female Total
30 30 60
Male Female Total
52 38 90
•
EMS3 a
(g)
' ' Means within a column with different superscripts are significantly different (P<.05).
1
Bobwhite quail were grown to 16 wk of age and Coturnix to 8 wk of age.
2
Yield (%) = Carcass weight/farm weight X 100.
3
EMS = Error mean square.
TABLE 2. Effect of 8 and 24-hr photoperiods on weight and yield data from 8-week-old Coturnix quail Photoperiod
Mean i we:ight Sex
n
Live
(hr)
Carcass
Yield 1
H3g
(%)
8
Male Female Total
36 28 64
149 150 150
113a 114a 114a
72.ia 72.4a 72.3a
44 54 48
24
Male Female Total
39 25 64
150 152 151
102c 107b 105b
64.2C 67.8b 66.2b
23 28 25
246
100
16.0
EMS 2
' ' Means within a column with different superscripts are significantly different (P<.05). 1
Yield (%) = Carcass weight/farm weight X 100.
2
EMS = Error mean square.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
TABLE 1. Weight and yield data for Bobwhite and Coturnix quail grown on 14L.10D1
LEGAREETAL.
634
TABLE 3. Effect of age at processing on weight and yield data from Coturnix quail1 Mear weight Carcass
Yield2
164b 169 b 167b
116 a 118 a 117 a
67.7 66.2 66.8
71 79 76
167b 176 b 172b
120ab 126 c 123 b c
68.9 69.0 69.0
84 100 93
64
5.8
n
Live
7
Male Female Total
17 28 45
8
Male Female Total
21 24 45
(wk)
(g)
EMS3
166
113 g (nil
' ' Means within a column with different superscripts are significantly different (P<05). 1
Grown on a 10L:14D photoperiod.
2
Yield (%) = Carcass weight/farm weight X 100.
3
EMS = Error mean square.
mum. Coturnix grown under restricted lighting, which retarded sexual maturity, produced a greater percentage of marketable product in less time than on current commercial lighting programs that induce sexual maturity. Because chickens grown for meat production are processed before sexual maturity, the differences noted in their yields with age (Crawley et al., 1979) are not as marked as found in this study. The linear trend of increased shrink and decreased processing yield with increased time of feed and water withdrawal was similar to the trend observed by Wabeck (1972) and Veer-
WITHDRAWAL TIME
Ihrl
FIG. 1. The effect of feed and water withdrawal times on shrink (—) and yield (---) data from Coturnix quail.
kamp (1978) in broilers. The latter author found a total weight loss of .35%/hr. A similar result was obtained by Fris Jensen (1976) in broilers where a weight loss of .36%/hr was observed. The Coturnix used in this study lost weight at a rate of approximately .4%/hr during the withdrawal period. All of this loss (shrink) during the holding period prior to processing is not reflected in the loss of edible product. Veerkamp (1978) found that losses of edible broiler parts were .24%/hr. The decrease in yield found in this experiment, .15%/hr, is remarkable, because edible parts in the broiler study (Veerkamp, 1978) included the neck and giblets, which were not salvaged in this study. In addition to inherent species differences between Veerkamp's report (1978) and this study is the fact that Coturnix quail grown under a photostimulatory lighting regimen would be sexually mature. It may be that edible yields decreased less in this experiment than in Veerkamp's 1978 study due to increased losses in the offal. Two broad conclusions can be made: 1) growout programs that restrict sexual maturity of Coturnix quail improve processing yield and carcass weight, and 2) longer feed and water withdrawal times usually result in greater live bird shrink and decreased processed yields. REFERENCES Barr, A. J., J. H. Goodnight, J. P. Sail, and J. T.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
Sex
Age
QUAIL PROCESSING YIELDS
Coturnix D1 carcass yield. Poultry Sci. 58:1647 — 1648. Moore, P. E., and J. R. Cain, 1975. Characterization of Bobwhite quail reared for hunting. Poultry Sci. 54:1798. (Abstr.) Odom, W. J., 1973. Growing and marketing gamebirds for food. Pages 41—47 in Proc. Florida Gamebird Conf. Snyder, E. S., and H. L. Orr, 1964. Poultry meatprocessing, quality factors, yields. Ont. Dep. Agric, Publ. 9. (As cited in G. J. Mountney, 1976. Pages 7 8 - 8 4 in Poultry Products Technology. 1976. 2nd ed. Avi Publ. Co., Inc., Westport, CT). Steel, R.G.D., and J. H. Torrie, 1980. Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, NY. Veerkamp, C. H., 1978. The influence of fasting and transport on yields of broilers. Poultry Sci. 57: 634-638. Wabeck, C. J., 1972. Feed and water withdrawal time relationship to processing yield and potential fecal contamination of broilers. Poultry Sci. 51: 1119-1121. Wilson, W. O., U. K. Abbot, and H. Abplanalp, 1961. Evaluation of Coturnix (Japanese quail) as pilot animal for poultry. Poultry Sci. 40:651 — 657.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
Helwig, 1982. A user's guide to SAS. SAS Inst., Inc., Raleigh, NC. Crawley, S. W., D. R. Sloan, and K. K. Hale, Jr., 1979. By-product processing yields of broilers at six, seven and eight weeks of age. Poultry Sci. 58: 1012. (Abstr.) Dawson, L. E., L. R. York, N. Amon, C. Kulenkamp, and T. H. Coleman, 1971. Processing and yield characteristics of Bobwhite quail. Poultry Sci. 50:1346-1349. Dobson, D. C , 1969. Influence of strain, age, and weight on meat yields of turkeys. Utah Sci. 30: 112-114. Fris Jensen, J., 1976. The influence of transportation on slaughter quality of broilers. Pages 698—705 in 5th Eur. Poult. Conf. Malta. Hayse, P. L., and W. W. Marion, 1973. Eviscerated yield, component parts and meat, skin and bone ratios in the chicken broiler. Poultry Sci. 52: 718-722. Hughes, B. L., J. E. Jones, D. J. Shivers, and C. R. Ruff, 1983. Acceptability of alcohol distillers byproduct as a feed ingredient for Coturnix quail. Clemson Univ. Poult. Sci. Res. Ser. No. 44. Jones, J. E., and B. L. Hughes, 1978. Comparison of growth rate, body weight, and feed conversion between Coturnix D, quail and Bobwhite quail. Poultry Sci. 57:1471-1472. Jones, J. E., B. L. Hughes, and K. K. Hale, 1979.
635
1986 Poultry Science 65:631-635
INTRODUCTION
Coturnix quail {Coturnix coturnix japonica) have become an entree item primarily at restaurants as an alternative or complement to traditional meat dishes. A South Carolina producer sold over 3 million quail in 1980 (Odom, personal communication). Fundamental knowledge of processing parameters and quality of Coturnix, unlike most of the major meat species, is limited. Bobwhite quail are raised primarily for hunting preserves with some marketed as dressed birds. Bobwhite quail continue to gain weight through 20 wk of age, although the breast, wings, legs, head, and feet have reached their maximum size by 12 wk (Moore and Cain, 1975). Dawson et al. (1971) reported that New York dressed Bobwhite quail yield was 89% at 10 wk of age and 92% at 18 wk; ready-to-cook yields averaged 71%. Jones et al. (1979) noted that Coturnix grown on 8 hr of light and 16 hr of dark (8L:16D) had yields of 69% (based on preshrink weight) and 72% (after 15 hr feed and water withdrawal). These data are similar to those of Hayse and Marion (1973) for
8-week-old broilers (70.1% for females and 72% for males) and for 31 strains of turkeys that averaged 68 to 72.9% (Dobson, 1969). Sexual maturity and egg production have not been considered factors that affect processing yields of conventional meat type birds; most chickens and turkeys are slaughtered before development of sexual maturity. However, Coturnix grow rapidly and reach sexual maturity at an early age. It was reported by Wilson et al. (1961) that female Coturnix begin egg production at 5 to 6 wk of age. Data are limited on the effects of lighting on sexual maturity in relation to yields in Bobwhite and Coturnix quail. Leghorn hens processed after egg production had yields of 62% (Snyder and Orr, 1964). Jones et al. (1979) reported that Coturnix females in egg production at 9 wk of age had reduced processed yields.
1 Published with the approval of the director, South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station as Technical Contribution Number 2310. 2 Hale's Hardy Eggs, 612 Commercial Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 32017.
631
Coturnix quail are grown commercially and experimentally (Hughes et al, 1983) on continuous light to attain a carcass weight of at least 113 g (4 oz). This is the size demanded by the institutional buyer. Based on data of Jones et al. (1979), a live weight of 148 g after shrink is adequate to provide a 113-g carcass. Jones and Hughes (1978) noted that Coturnix reached a mature body size of 162 g at 6 wk of age. Commercially produced Coturnix are sexually mature, and the females are in egg production during the final 2 to 3 wk of growout. If sexual maturity and egg production could
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
ABSTRACT Bobwhite quail were grown on a 14-hr photophase and Coturnix quail on 8, 10, 14, and 24-hr photophases to analyze the effects of lighting regimen and feed and water withdrawal on carcass weights and processing yields. Eight-week-old Coturnix grown on restricted light regimens had heavier carcasses and greater yields than the Coturnix grown on nonrestrictive light programs. The Coturnix that were grown on restricted light for 8 wk were almost as heavy as the Bobwhite grown for 16 wk. The increase in weight of the Coturnix carcasses was attributed to the delay in sexual maturity. Feed and water deprivation prior to processing resulted in a weight loss of .4%/hr during holding. Concomitant with this increase in shrink was a decrease in yield. Yield decreased at a rate of .15%/hr during the holding times studied. (Key words: quail, processing yields, lighting, Coturnix, Bobwhite, photoperiod)
632
LEGAREETAL.
be delayed (or prevented) by controlled lighting, a greater yield and heavier carcass could be produced. A series of trials were designed to investigate the influence of lighting regimens and feed and water withdrawal times on processing parameters of Coturnix and Bobwhite quail.
RESULTS Bobwhite quail grown for 16 wk on 14L: 10D averaged 129-g carcasses and 71.2% processing yields (Table 1). Coturnix quail grown 8 wk on 14L:10D had 112-g carcasses and yields of 62%. There were no sex differences in live and carcass weight or yields with the Bobwhites. Female Coturnix were significantly (P<.05) larger than their male counterparts in live and carcass weight, even though the female's processed yields (farm weight/carcass weight) were lower. Although the Bobwhite
Figure 1 is a compilation of data from Trials 1, 2, and 3. Percent shrink in all trials increased linearly with increased time of feed and water withdrawal. There was an average increase of .4% shrink/hr off feed and off water. Yield decreased at the rate of .15% for each hr of feed and water withdrawal (Fig. 1). DISCUSSION Even though the Coturnix quail had lower carcass weight than Bobwhite quail grown to approximately the same live weight in Trial 1, the shorter time required to produce quail of marketable size makes the Coturnix more appealing economically to commercial quail meat processors. Female Coturnix quail grown on 14L:10D exhibited much lower processed yields than male and female Bobwhite quail, presumably due to the more advanced sexual maturity of the Coturnix. Delay of sexual maturity should be an effective means of improving the efficiency of Coturnix grown for meat production.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three battery trials were conducted to examine the effects of lighting programs and feed and water withdrawal on the eviscerated weight and processing yields of Bobwhite and Dj strain Coturnix quail. Bobwhite quail were grown for 16 wk on 14L:10D and Coturnix were grown for 8 wk on 14L:10D in Trial 1. In Trial 2, Coturnix quail were grown on either an 8L:16D or 24L:0D for 8 wk. In the third trial, Coturnix quail were kept for 7 or 8 wk on a 10L:14D photoperiod. Feed and water withdrawal times ranged from 1 to 21 hr. The birds were processed in the poultry processing pilot plant at Clemson University. The birds were killed and bled by decapitation (Odom, 1973). After a 1-min bleed time, the birds were scalded for 2 min at 60 C in an Ashley Sure-Scald Model SS36 scalder and defeathered for 45 sec in a Barker Automatic Poultry Picker Model CPT. Quail were eviscerated by making a cut along the vertebrae and removing the viscera and neck. Weights were recorded at the time of feed and water withdrawal (farm weight) just prior to slaughter (held weight) and after evisceration and washing (carcass weight). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (Barr et al., 1982). Differences between means were determined by Student-Newman-Kuels test (Steel and Torrie, 1980) using the .05 level of probability.
and Coturnix were intentionally grown to approximately the same live weight, Bobwhite exhibited significantly (P<.05) greater carcass weight than Coturnix. Coturnix quail grown on 8 L T 6 D had significantly (P<.05) greater yields and heavier carcasses than Coturnix grown on 24L:0D (Table 2). There was no difference in farm weight between the birds grown on the two lighting regimens. The Coturnix grown with 8L:16D had a greater portion of carcasses over 113 g (4 oz). It should be noted that the birds in this trial had significantly lower live weight than the birds grown in the other trials. The decrease in weight was attributed to excessive heat (daytime temperatures above 40 C) during the trial. In Trial 3, Coturnix quail grown for 7 wk on 10L:14D had significantly lower average carcass weight than the average of birds grown on this photoperiod for an additional week (Table 3). The carcass weight of both sexes at 7 weeks of age were not different from the 8-week-old male carcasses. The carcasses from 8-week-old females were significantly (P<.05) heavier than the carcasses from 8-week-old males and both sexes at 7 weeks. The carcasses from 8-week-old Coturnix were significantly (P«.05) heavier and had a greater percent over 113 g than the carcasses from 7-week-old Coturnix quail. All carcasses regardless of age had average weight over 113 g (Table 3). It should be noted that there were no significant differences in yield due to age or sex.
633
QUAIL PROCESSING YIELDS
of carcasses over 113 g (4 oz) and exhibited less differences in yields due to gender (Table 2). With control of sexual maturity and increased efficiency, birds could be processed younger. Comparing Coturnix quail raised on 10L:14D and processed at either 7 or 8 weeks of age showed no difference in yields. The 8-week-old Coturnix produced a final product with an average well over the 113-g (4-oz) mini-
In Trial 2, a decrease in photoperiod to 8L: 16D inhibited sexual maturity in Coturnix quail as evidenced by visual inspection of viscera and lack of egg production, with inhibition of sexual maturity by a decreased light cycle, increased carcass weight and processing yield were obtained relative to birds raised under a constant 24L:0D photoperiod. Birds that were not sexually mature produced a greater proportion
Me;an weight Species
Sex
Bobwhite
Coturnix
Carcass
Yield 2
113g
173b 174b 174b
128a 129a 129a
71. ia 71.2a 71.2a
93 97 95
155c 190a 170b
107c 119b 112b
65.4b 57.4C 62.0b
19 79 44
188
88
7.3
n
Live
Male Female Total
30 30 60
Male Female Total
52 38 90
•
EMS3 a
(g)
' ' Means within a column with different superscripts are significantly different (P<.05).
1
Bobwhite quail were grown to 16 wk of age and Coturnix to 8 wk of age.
2
Yield (%) = Carcass weight/farm weight X 100.
3
EMS = Error mean square.
TABLE 2. Effect of 8 and 24-hr photoperiods on weight and yield data from 8-week-old Coturnix quail Photoperiod
Mean i we:ight Sex
n
Live
(hr)
Carcass
Yield 1
H3g
(%)
8
Male Female Total
36 28 64
149 150 150
113a 114a 114a
72.ia 72.4a 72.3a
44 54 48
24
Male Female Total
39 25 64
150 152 151
102c 107b 105b
64.2C 67.8b 66.2b
23 28 25
246
100
16.0
EMS 2
' ' Means within a column with different superscripts are significantly different (P<.05). 1
Yield (%) = Carcass weight/farm weight X 100.
2
EMS = Error mean square.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
TABLE 1. Weight and yield data for Bobwhite and Coturnix quail grown on 14L.10D1
LEGAREETAL.
634
TABLE 3. Effect of age at processing on weight and yield data from Coturnix quail1 Mear weight Carcass
Yield2
164b 169 b 167b
116 a 118 a 117 a
67.7 66.2 66.8
71 79 76
167b 176 b 172b
120ab 126 c 123 b c
68.9 69.0 69.0
84 100 93
64
5.8
n
Live
7
Male Female Total
17 28 45
8
Male Female Total
21 24 45
(wk)
(g)
EMS3
166
113 g (nil
' ' Means within a column with different superscripts are significantly different (P<05). 1
Grown on a 10L:14D photoperiod.
2
Yield (%) = Carcass weight/farm weight X 100.
3
EMS = Error mean square.
mum. Coturnix grown under restricted lighting, which retarded sexual maturity, produced a greater percentage of marketable product in less time than on current commercial lighting programs that induce sexual maturity. Because chickens grown for meat production are processed before sexual maturity, the differences noted in their yields with age (Crawley et al., 1979) are not as marked as found in this study. The linear trend of increased shrink and decreased processing yield with increased time of feed and water withdrawal was similar to the trend observed by Wabeck (1972) and Veer-
WITHDRAWAL TIME
Ihrl
FIG. 1. The effect of feed and water withdrawal times on shrink (—) and yield (---) data from Coturnix quail.
kamp (1978) in broilers. The latter author found a total weight loss of .35%/hr. A similar result was obtained by Fris Jensen (1976) in broilers where a weight loss of .36%/hr was observed. The Coturnix used in this study lost weight at a rate of approximately .4%/hr during the withdrawal period. All of this loss (shrink) during the holding period prior to processing is not reflected in the loss of edible product. Veerkamp (1978) found that losses of edible broiler parts were .24%/hr. The decrease in yield found in this experiment, .15%/hr, is remarkable, because edible parts in the broiler study (Veerkamp, 1978) included the neck and giblets, which were not salvaged in this study. In addition to inherent species differences between Veerkamp's report (1978) and this study is the fact that Coturnix quail grown under a photostimulatory lighting regimen would be sexually mature. It may be that edible yields decreased less in this experiment than in Veerkamp's 1978 study due to increased losses in the offal. Two broad conclusions can be made: 1) growout programs that restrict sexual maturity of Coturnix quail improve processing yield and carcass weight, and 2) longer feed and water withdrawal times usually result in greater live bird shrink and decreased processed yields. REFERENCES Barr, A. J., J. H. Goodnight, J. P. Sail, and J. T.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
Sex
Age
QUAIL PROCESSING YIELDS
Coturnix D1 carcass yield. Poultry Sci. 58:1647 — 1648. Moore, P. E., and J. R. Cain, 1975. Characterization of Bobwhite quail reared for hunting. Poultry Sci. 54:1798. (Abstr.) Odom, W. J., 1973. Growing and marketing gamebirds for food. Pages 41—47 in Proc. Florida Gamebird Conf. Snyder, E. S., and H. L. Orr, 1964. Poultry meatprocessing, quality factors, yields. Ont. Dep. Agric, Publ. 9. (As cited in G. J. Mountney, 1976. Pages 7 8 - 8 4 in Poultry Products Technology. 1976. 2nd ed. Avi Publ. Co., Inc., Westport, CT). Steel, R.G.D., and J. H. Torrie, 1980. Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, NY. Veerkamp, C. H., 1978. The influence of fasting and transport on yields of broilers. Poultry Sci. 57: 634-638. Wabeck, C. J., 1972. Feed and water withdrawal time relationship to processing yield and potential fecal contamination of broilers. Poultry Sci. 51: 1119-1121. Wilson, W. O., U. K. Abbot, and H. Abplanalp, 1961. Evaluation of Coturnix (Japanese quail) as pilot animal for poultry. Poultry Sci. 40:651 — 657.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Hawaii, PBRC, Kewalo Marine Lab. on May 31, 2015
Helwig, 1982. A user's guide to SAS. SAS Inst., Inc., Raleigh, NC. Crawley, S. W., D. R. Sloan, and K. K. Hale, Jr., 1979. By-product processing yields of broilers at six, seven and eight weeks of age. Poultry Sci. 58: 1012. (Abstr.) Dawson, L. E., L. R. York, N. Amon, C. Kulenkamp, and T. H. Coleman, 1971. Processing and yield characteristics of Bobwhite quail. Poultry Sci. 50:1346-1349. Dobson, D. C , 1969. Influence of strain, age, and weight on meat yields of turkeys. Utah Sci. 30: 112-114. Fris Jensen, J., 1976. The influence of transportation on slaughter quality of broilers. Pages 698—705 in 5th Eur. Poult. Conf. Malta. Hayse, P. L., and W. W. Marion, 1973. Eviscerated yield, component parts and meat, skin and bone ratios in the chicken broiler. Poultry Sci. 52: 718-722. Hughes, B. L., J. E. Jones, D. J. Shivers, and C. R. Ruff, 1983. Acceptability of alcohol distillers byproduct as a feed ingredient for Coturnix quail. Clemson Univ. Poult. Sci. Res. Ser. No. 44. Jones, J. E., and B. L. Hughes, 1978. Comparison of growth rate, body weight, and feed conversion between Coturnix D, quail and Bobwhite quail. Poultry Sci. 57:1471-1472. Jones, J. E., B. L. Hughes, and K. K. Hale, 1979.
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