Hatching performance of cross bred Japanese quail breeders under cage and deep litter systems of rearing and relative economics

A study was conducted to assess the comparative hatching performance of Japanese quail cross bred parent breeders under deep litter and cage systems of management. Mean per cent hatchability on total eggs set was observed to be significantly (P≤0.01) higher for cage rearing compared to deep litter rearing (71.13±0.76 vs 66.76±0.99). Similar trends were witnessed in per cent hatchability on fertile eggs set. Mean per cent fertility was higher (P≤0.05) at 90.37±0.61 for cage rearing compared to 88.80±0.58 for deep litter rearing of cross bred parents. Mean per cent hen day chick production was found to be significantly (P≤0.01) higher for cage rearing of breeders over deep litter rearing (49.19±1.40 vs 41.29±2.41). Further, chick production efficiency was found to decline gradually as age advanced beyond 20 weeks of age. Mean feed cost for 100 chicks was significantly (P≤0.01) higher for deep litter rearing of cross bred Japanese quail breeders compared to cage rearing (Rs.123.77±2.51 vs 117.25±1.76). Therefore, cage rearing could be suggested to be the system of rearing for Japanese quail breeder-cum-hatchery units.