COMPARATIVE WEIGHT AND METRIC TRAITS OF INTESTINES IN DUCKS, QUAILS AND BROILER CHICKENS

Radoslav Mihaylov, Rosen Dimitrov

Abstract: Sixty five birds belonging to 7 species were investigated: 9 Muscovy ducks, 10 Pekin ducks, 10 hybrid ducks, 10 broiler chickens, 9 wild quails, 9 Japanese quails, and 8 hybrid quails ( ? Japanese quails x S wild quails). The individual body weights of birds were determined. The weights of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caeca and rectum (g) and the length of the same intestinal segments (cm) were recorded. Data were statistically processed. The absolute and relative weight and metric traits of the jejunum were the highest. The relative weight of the intestinal tract was the highest in Japanese quails, followed by wild and hybrid quails. Caeca were relatively longer in ducks and broiler chickens than in quails. In wild and hybrid quails, the duodenum was relatively longer as compared to the same intestinal segment in ducks, broiler chickens and Japanese quails. The relative intestine weight in studied ducks was lower than that of quails and broiler chickens. The index showing the ratio of the total intestinal tract length and its weight (L/m) was the highest in wild quails, followed by hybrid quails and Japanese quails. They attained their live body weight with relatively thinnest intestinal wall suggesting a higher intestinal functional activity in these birds compared to the other studied species.

Keywords: anatomy; aves; intestinum; morphometry

Date published: 2023-02-22