ABSTRACT

The study was conducted in the Teaching and Research Farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria. The aim was to determine and capture the serum biochemical profile of 120 cinnamons brown Japanese quail reared in deep litter and cage housing system. About 120 quail chicks used in the study were generated from the fertilized eggs obtained from mating of the females with males at the ratio of 4: I, and were incubated (at 37- 60C, 60% humidity), hatched and brooded for a period of two weeks. After three weeks of brooding, each housing system ( cage versus deep litter) was allotted 60 quails chicks per group. The parameters which were evaluated include; total protein, albumin, cholesterol, glucose, uric acid, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium. The data obtained were subjected to student's I-test while mean value were separated using Duncas multiple range test. The results obtained shows that the housing system (cage vs deep litter) has significant (p < 0.05) effect, on Total protein (3.81 vs 4.88), albumin (2.06 vs 3.44), glucose (216.33 vs 247.00), while minerals like potassium (2.96 vs 4.28), and sodium (128.68 vs 120.92) were affected significantly (P < 0.05), whereas uric acid, cholesterol, calcium and magnesium were not affected by the housing system. The result of the correlation also showed significant variation in the mean value of glucose and albumin in the housing system. The cholesterol concentration showed non-significant difference (P > 0.05) in the housing system. The glucose concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the housing system. In conclusion the serum biochemical profile - total protein, albumin, glucose serum and minerals such as potassium and sodium were significantly (P < 0.05) improves in the Japanese quails reared on deep litter than in cage group. This study hereby recommends the use of deep litter system for farmer who wishes to rear cinnamon brown Japanese quail for better productivity.