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Chicken, Pigeon, & Quail

Animal Name
Chicken

Scientific Name: Gallus domesticus

Class: Aves

Order: Galliforme

Body Temp.: 103 degrees F

Respiration Rate: 12 - 30 BPM

Weight:

Adult Male 1.5 - 3.5 kg
Adult Female 1.5 - 3.5 kg
Newborn 50 g

Gestation period: 20 - 22 days

Avg. Litter size: clutch (1 - 5 eggs)

Age at weaning: hatched

Recommended Temperature: 60-80 degrees F(16-27 degrees C)

Estrus Cycle:

Life Span: 3 - 5 years

Breeding Life:

Male 1-2 years
Female 1-2 years

Identitication Methods: # on metal leg bands

Relative Humidity: 45 - 70%

Photo Period (light/dark): 14/10

Water Consumption: 200 - 300 ml

Food Consumption: 125 - 250 g

Sexual Maturity:

Male 18 - 24 weeks
Female 18 - 24 weeks

* Housing Requirements: Floor area/adult (0.25-3.0 sq. ft.), cage sizes should allow for normal physical activity and social interaction, Perches: to avoid contamination of feed and water

Bleeding Methods: jugular vein, brachial vein (wing vein)

Anesthesia Methods: methoxyflurane or halothane inhalation, ketamine

Euthanasia Methods: cervical dislocation, OD of anesthetic agent

Problem areas & diseases: mites, lice, pasteurella, Mareks disease, lymphoma salmonella, cannibalism, vitamin deficiencies, urinary problems

Other: nucleated red blood cells, no gall bladder, abdominal testes

* (See NIH Guide, page 14) Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

Animal Name
Pigeon

Scientific Name: Colomba ssp.

Class: Aves

Order: Columbiformes

Body Temp.: 41 degrees C (106.6 degrees F)

Water Consumption:

Gestation period: 16 - 18 days

Avg. Litter size: 3 - 5

Respiration Rate: 20 - 35 BPM

Weight:

Adult Male 250 - 600 g
Adult Female 250 - 600 g
Newborn 20 - 50 g

Age at weaning: Hatching (3 - 4 weeks)

Recommended Temperature: 18 degrees C (at adult)

Relative Humidity: 45 - 55%

Photo Period (light/dark): 14/10

*Housing Requirements: 0.8 sq. ft./bird

Food Consumption: 100-150 gm/200-250 mg

Sexual Maturity:

Male 6 months
Female 6 months

Estrus Cycle:

Life Span:

Breeding Life:

Male 8 -10 years
Female 8 - 10 years

Identification Methods: Leg band with number

Bleeding Methods: Jugular, brachial veins

Aneathesia Methods: methoxyflurane, halothane, ketamine

Problem areas & diseases: cannibalism, mites, salmonella

Euthanasia Methods: C02, cervical dislocation, OD anesthetic agent

Other: usually monogamous

* (See NIH Guide, page 14) Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

Animal Name
Quail

Scientific Name: Coturnix cotumix japonica

Class: Aves

Order: Galliforme

Body Temp: 106.3 degrees F

Respiration

Weight:

Adult Male 100 - 130 g
Adult Female 120 - 160 g
Newborn 6 - 8 g

Water Consumption: ad lib

Food Consumption: 100 gm/300 gm

Gestation period:

Avg Litter size: 1 - 3

Age at weaning: 3 weeks

Recommended Temperature: 18 degrees C at adult

Relative Humidity: 60%

Photo Period (light/dark): 14/10

* Housing Requirements: 0.25 sq. ft./bird

Sexual Maturity:

Male 38 - 42 days
Female 38 - 42 days

Estrus Cycle:

Life Span: 24 - 26 weeks

Breeding Life:

Male 120 days
Female 120 days

Identification Methods: Leg Bands

Bleeding Methods: Jugular, brachial veins, heart puncture

Anesthesia Methods: metomidate (IM 20 mg/kg), methoxyflurane, halothane, ketamine

Euthanasia Methods: cervical dislocation, OD on gas anesthesia

Problem areas & diseases: respiratory disorders, coccidia, fowl pox

Other:

*(See NIH Guide page 14) Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

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Last Updated:12/03/01
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