Quail farming plays a crucial role for smallholder farmers in Central Java, Indonesia. Yet productivity often suffers when biosecurity is weak, water quality declines, or parasites spread.
Study overview
A team led by R Murwani from Diponegoro University examined biosecurity practices, water quality, and endoparasite loads in 10 quail farms (L1-L10) located in Semarang City and nearby regencies.
Researchers gathered data through farm observations, farmer interviews, water sampling, and laboratory analysis of quail droppings. Together, these methods provided a comprehensive view of farm conditions and health risks.
Biosecurity and water quality
Biosecurity scores, measured on an 18-point scale, were divided into three groups:
Three farms fell into Group 1, five into Group 2, and two into Group 3. This distribution highlights uneven adoption of protective measures among small holders.
Water varied widely. pH levels ranged from 4.8 to 8.0. The the highest E. coli count was 19.33 CFU/mL (L9), while coliform counts peaked at 89.67 CFU/mL (L5).
Parasite loads and egg production
Parasite burdens differed across farms. L1 had the highest parasite load, with Coccidia at 1000 oocysts/g, Strongyloides at 100 OPG, and Ascaridia sp. at 33.33 OPG. Meanwhile, L7 showed no endoparasites or water contamination.
In contrast, L7 showed no parasites or water contamination, suggesting that strong biosecurity can protect flocks.
Egg production ranged from 64.29% to 90%.
Key findings
Analysis revealed no significant differences in parasite prevalence between biosecurity groups or water quality (p>0.05). However, coliform levels varied significantly, especially in farms using conventional well-water.
Overall, only about one-third of smallholder quail farms in Semarang and its surrounding regencies practice proper biosecurity. This study also provided the first documentation of endoparasite burdens as well as E. coli and coliform contamination in quail drinking water in Central Java.
Interview Dr. Nivin Nasser
Subscribe now to the poultry technical magazine
AUTHORS
Setting the Global Standard for Soy
Isa Tan
Importance of Eggshell Temperature, Checking and Record Keeping in a Commercial Poultry Hatchery
Rasel Ahmed
The Reality of the South African Egg Industry
Abongile Balarane
Mycoplasmosis update: Antimicrobial Resistance, Vaccines, and Control Challenges
Edgar O. Oviedo Rondón
Future Flock: Antibiotic-Free Solutions for a Rising Population
Dr Ahmad Safi Dr. Faran HameedInterview Dr. Nivin Nasser
Dr. Nivin Nasser
Disinfection of Fertile Broiler Breeder Eggs
Edgar O. Oviedo Rondón
Precision Matters: Tackling Quality Issues in on‑Farm Vaccination
Jaime Sarabia Fragoso Kevin Gandon Pascal Paulet
Process Control: 30 Specific Aspects to Evaluate from Pre-Slaughter to Slaughter
Eduardo Cervantes López
Ishikawa Diagram Applied to Processing of Chickens
Eduardo Cervantes López
