Abstract
The experiment was conducted to study the effect of floor space on productive performance of 432 female and 216 male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) breeders reared under litter floor and cage housing systems for a period of 10 weeks i.e. 13 to 22 weeks of age. Floor space was provided at the rate of 0.80, 0.67 and 0.57 ft21birdto the floor treatments A, B, C and 0.46, 0.38 and 0.33 ft21birdto the treatments D, E, F for cage-housed birds. Weight gain of male birds in cages (18.29 g) was significantly higher than those on litter floor (11.63 g), irrespective of floor space, whereas effect on females 'Wasnon-significant. Feed consumption and feed efficiency data showed a significant effect of both the variables Le. floor space and housing systems. Birds in medium (B and E) and lower (C and F) floor space consumed 13.72 and 15.42 % less feed per dozen eggs respectively as compared to those on higher (A and D) floor space. Egg production data showed non- significant effect of both the variables. Key words: egg production, floor space, housing system, quail breeders
