Behavioral, Physiological, And Productive Responses Of European Quails (Coturnix coturnix) To Different Environmental Enrichment Strategies

This study evaluated the behavioral and productive responses of European quails (Coturnix coturnix) to environmental enrichments designed to mitigate monotonous confinement conditions. A total of 192 quails (96 females and 96 males) were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 × 4 factorial design, comprising two lineages (LF1 and LF2), two sexes, and four enrichment treatments (control, beads, red wool, and beads + red wool), with 12 replicates per treatment combination. Behavior was recorded by eight cameras and assessed at five-minute intervals using an ethogram comprising 11 predefined behaviors. Behavioral diversity was evaluated using the Shannon index. Females had higher body weight, weight gain, and tissue mass than males, while lineage 2 showed higher body weight and tissue values than lineage 1. Enrichment did not affect surface body temperature, feed intake, or performance. A significant treatment × sex interaction indicated sex-dependent behavioral responses, with differences in behavioral diversity among male treatment groups. Overall, low-cost environmental enrichment promoted behavioral variation without impairing productive performance, although physiological stress indicators are needed for a more definitive welfare assessment.