Improving quail production efficiency: a global perspective

SUMMARYJapanese quail (Coturnix japonica) are among the most widely studied and commercially utilised quail species for egg and meat production in many regions because of their rapid growth, early sexual maturity, high reproductive performance, and relatively low feed and housing requirements. This review synthesises global literature on quail production efficiency, with emphasis on genetic potential, nutrition and feeding strategies, housing and environmental management, health control, animal welfare, and climate adaptation. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted by searching peer-reviewed literature published between 1970 and 2026 in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Evidence indicates that quail productivity is strongly influenced by interactions among genotype, dietary protein and energy balance, microclimatic conditions, and management practices. In quail, particularly under tropical and arid production conditions, heat stress reduces feed intake, laying performance, eggshell quality, fertility, and immune responsiveness, thereby necessitating climate-responsive housing and targeted nutritional interventions. Welfare-oriented management practices, including optimised stocking density, lighting programs, and environmental enrichment, are increasingly recognised as integral to sustainable productivity rather than as constraints. Although quail production offers advantages in feed efficiency and environmental footprint compared with conventional poultry species, challenges related to feed cost volatility, lack of standardised nutrient requirements, limited welfare guidelines, and climate resilience persist. This review identifies key knowledge gaps and proposes an integrated framework linking genetics, nutrition, housing, welfare, and climate adaptation to improve quail production efficiency.