Japanese quail production can be optimized by selecting appropriate dietary lipid sources, yet comparative effects on performance and egg quality during the laying phase are not fully established. This study evaluated the impact of five lipid sources, namely soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and poultry fat, on performance, egg quality, nutrient metabolism, serum metabolites, and organ traits of 350 Japanese quail aged 60 days with an average weight of 170 ± 10 g. Birds were assigned to diets containing 2800 kcal/kg in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates of seven birds each. Performance was recorded over three 28-day periods and egg quality assessed at the end of each period; at 84 days, one bird per replicate was sampled for nutrient metabolism, serum metabolites, and organ characteristics, and a metabolism trial estimated metabolizability coefficients and metabolizable energy. Data were analyzed by Tukey’s test at the 5% level. Egg production (p = 0.010) and marketable egg production (p = 0.008) were highest with soybean, corn, and sunflower oils, while feed conversion per dozen eggs was less efficient with canola oil (p = 0.048). Egg quality differed in specific gravity (p = 0.027), yolk color (p = 0.008), Haugh unit (p = 0.011), and air cell size (p = 0.001), with poultry fat improving yolk color and Haugh unit. Canola oil increased dry matter (p = 0.027) and ether extract digestibility (p = 0.026), while serum metabolites, organ weights, and reproductive traits were not affected (p > 0.05). All diets supported physiological health, and lipid sources can be chosen according to cost and availability to optimize quail production without compromising performance or health.

This study evaluated the effects of natural pigments, such as paprika extract and marigold flower extract, on performance, egg quality, carotenoid content in the yolk, and shelf life of Japanese quail eggs. The experiment included 160 birds, divided into 4 treatment groups, as follows: 0.8% paprika extract, 0.8% marigold flower extract, 0.8% paprika/marigold (P/M) mixture, and a control group. The experiment lasted 84 days. The inclusion of paprika, marigold, or their combination did not affect performance parameters, except for feed conversion, which was significantly poorer in the supplemented groups compared to the control. An improvement in yolk color was observed, particularly in the marigold group, which showed higher concentrations of β-carotene (40 g/kg). Yolk color intensity, measured using the L*, a*, and b* scales, was enhanced in all supplemented groups. During storage, yolk weight increased after 5.72 days, while albumen weight showed a significant reduction starting at 4.30 days, with a more pronounced decrease after 6.6 days. Albumen diameter expanded after 15.7 days of storage, and the Haugh unit was significantly affected from the 17th day onward. Yolk percentage decreased after 4.06 days, while albumen and eggshell percentages decreased after 4.10 and 3.41 days, respectively. These results suggest that paprika and marigold extracts are effective in improving yolk color and maintaining egg quality without compromising performance. However, a poorer feed conversion by mass was observed in the groups fed with the paprika, marigold, and the (P/M) mixture, compared to the control group. These natural pigments also positively impacted egg quality, particularly in terms of color intensity and internal parameters, and helped maintain egg quality during storage, meeting consumer expectations for high-quality products. Future studies should focus on evaluating the antioxidant effects of these pigments in eggs, as this could provide a deeper understanding of their potential benefits, both in terms of nutritional quality and shelf-life enhancement.

Resumo Estudos que exploram o uso de lipídios e seus efeitos na nutrição animal têm se tornado cada vez mais abundantes, produzindo uma grande quantidade de informações. A revisão foi realizada de forma paritária por meio de uma pesquisa de artigos nas bases bibliográficas: Web of Science e Periódicos Capes, utilizando termos de busca associados ou não, no plural ou no singular, em inglês e português, tais como: "lipídios" E "coelhos" E "nutrição". Após analisar os arquivos nas duas bases científicas, determinados arquivos foram excluídos porque não se adequavam ao tema ou não atendiam aos critérios de inclusão, além de artigos repetidos. Um teste de relevância foi realizado para a seleção dos artigos, nos quais eles deveriam tratar do assunto: artigos que relatam o uso de lipídios na nutrição de animais não-ruminantes; artigos disponibilizados na forma completa; artigos que possuíam pelo menos uma das palavras-chave; artigos nos quais o assunto principal está relacionado a lipídios. Os artigos foram selecionados e tabulados em uma planilha do Excel® com informações relevantes para exploração na revisão. O uso de óleos e gorduras é um ponto favorável na nutrição de animais não-ruminantes, apresentando benefícios no enriquecimento de produtos finais, tais como: fornecer níveis mais altos de ômega-3 e ômega-6, e assim obter produtos de carne com menores teores de gordura saturada e maiores teores de gordura insaturada, promovendo benefícios para a saúde humana por meio do consumo, redução dos custos alimentares, melhoria na palatabilidade e aparência dos alimentos. Essas são estratégias nutricionais usadas nas estações quentes do ano devido ao baixo incremento calórico produzido.

Por se tratar de um alimento completo, de alta qualidade e preço acessível, o ovo torna-se um alimento mundialmente consumido. O conhecimento das preferências e o comportamento dos consumidores são importantes para os produtores e mercado, visando atender as exigências deste público mais seleto, portanto, objetivou-se com esta pesquisa estabelecer o perfil do consumidor de ovos de galinhas no município de Dourados - MS, e saber seus critérios e preferências na hora da compra. Para coleta dos dados foram aplicados questionários utilizando o Formulário Google Forms através de sítios de mídia social (Whasapp, Facebook, e-mail). O perfil do consumidor de ovos de galinha do município de Dourados – MS é representado em sua maioria por mulheres na faixa etária de 21 a 30 anos. O consumo de ovos de galinha no município foi expressivo, demonstrando o interesse da população em consumir este produto de grande valor nutricional para a saúde. E que a maioria da população entrevistada afirma consumir ovos de galinha pelo fato de ser saboroso e saudável, e não demonstram preferência pela coloração da casca.

Lipids play a central role in poultry nutrition by modulating energy utilization, nutrient digestibility, and metabolic processes related to lipid absorption and deposition. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the main dietary lipid sources used in poultry nutrition and their effects on performance, lipid metabolism, and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Conventional lipid sources, including vegetable oils and animal fats, differ in fatty acid profile, degree of saturation, and digestibility, which directly influence metabolic efficiency and productive responses. In addition, the strategic use of lipid sources enables the modulation of fatty acid profiles in poultry products, particularly through the enrichment of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3. These effects are associated with mechanisms involving lipid digestion, absorption, and hepatic lipoprotein synthesis, which regulate fatty acid deposition in tissues and egg yolks. However, responses to dietary lipids are influenced by factors such as inclusion level, oxidative stability, and lipid composition. Overall, dietary lipid manipulation represents an effective strategy to optimize production efficiency and enhance the nutritional quality of poultry-derived foods.

This study evaluated the performance parameters, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of Label Rouge chickens raised under an alternative system as a function of age at slaughter. The design was completely randomized with a 5×2 factorial arrangement, with slaughtering at five ages (70, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days) and two sexes. A total of 240 birds (Pescoço Pelado strain) were used, including 120 females and 120 males. Performance, carcass, physicochemical, proximate composition, and muscle fiber traits were evaluated. Rearing time and sex had significant effects on performance-related traits, with better results for males. The interaction between slaughter age and sex had a significant effect on the carcass and physicochemical parameters, which cause different responses in males and females with increasing slaughter age. For the proximate composition and muscle fiber analysis, the interaction between the parameters studied only had a significant effect on ether extract in the breast. The increase in age resulted in chickens with higher live and carcass weight at slaughter but lower performance indices. Females had lower carcass yield and greater deposition of abdominal fat. Females had lower tenderness in the drumstick and males in the breast with increasing slaughter age, and both cuts had more intense color and redness and reduced lightness starting at the slaughter age of 90 days.