Effect of different levels of air velocity and temperature on Japanese quail performance at start of lay

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different air velocities at the feeder during heat stress on egg production performance metrics (feed intake and egg production) of Japanese quail. The experiment was carried out in climatic chambers of the Center for Research in Environment and Agroindustry Systems Engineering (AMBIAGRO), Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa/MG, Brazil. A total of 216 Japanese quail in the initial laying phase were placed in 4 climatic chambers where they were housed and distributed randomly in 2 galvanized wire cages with 3 partitions each, at 9 birds per partition, 27 birds per cage, and a density of approximately 155.6 cm² bird^-1. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with replications of two treatments (air velocity at the feeder: 0, 1, 2, and 3 m s^-1 and air temperature: 17, 23, 29 and 35°C). The number of eggs produced and feed intake were analyzed by Two-Way ANOVA, with treatment means separated by the Tukey test (P<0.05). To evaluate the main effects and interactions of the factors, the Holm-Sidak multiple-comparisons test was performed using a mild condition as the control group (23°C and 0 m s^-1). The mean values of egg production increased significantly (P<0.05) with increased temperature levels. However, this result was in part from rapidly increasing egg production during the start of lay. Feed intake did not differ (P>0.05) among birds reared at temperatures of 23°C, 29°C and 35°C, but higher feed intake was noted at 17°C. It was observed that there was an increase in egg production and feed intake with the intensification of air velocity at the feeder, regardless of ambient temperature.