Effect of saline drinking water on laying performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The effect of addition of sodium chloride at three concentration levels (0.5, 1.0, 2.0% w/v) in drinking water fix three weeks was studied on water consumption, feed intake and egg production in quails. The birds on 0.5 and 1.0% salt did not exhibit any signs of toxicity, however, there was slight increase in water consumption at 0.5% and signiticant (P < 0.05) increase at 1.0% sodium chloride level. At 2% which was given only tor one week due to toxicity symptoms and mortality, water consumption was markedly reduced. Salinity of water did not affect feed intake at low and moderate levels, however, at 2% salinity, feed intake also declined signiticantly. Studies on egg production in quails revealed that both 0.5 and 1.0% salinity in water signiticantly increased egg production foom first week onward, however. 2% salinity signiticantly reduced egg production. Egg quality rcmained unaltered as a result of salinity of water. Therefore, it may be suggested that addition of 0.5% sodium chloride to drinking water may improve egg production in quails.