Foraging behavior and physiological changes in precocial quail chicks in response to low temperatures

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Physiology
• Thermoregulation
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Precocial birds, like Japanese quail chicks, must balance energy expenditure for thermoregulation with demands for growth.
• Ambient temperature is a critical environmental factor influencing energy budgets in young birds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of low ambient temperatures on the foraging behavior of Japanese quail chicks.
• To determine how cold exposure affects the trade-off between growth and thermogenic function during development.

Main Methods:

• Japanese quail chicks were divided into two groups: one exposed to 7°C and a control group to 24°C.
• Foraging behavior, body temperature, metabolic rate, food intake, and growth rates were monitored throughout the developmental stage.
• Behavioral adjustments included shortened foraging bouts and increased brooding bout lengths in cold-exposed chicks.

Main Results:

• Cold-exposed chicks significantly reduced foraging bout duration and total foraging time, increasing foraging efficiency by 100%.
• Mass-specific food intake was 15% higher in cold-exposed chicks, despite reduced foraging time.
• Metabolic rates increased in cold-exposed chicks from 15 days onward, and growth rates were initially reduced but later exceeded those of warm-reared chicks.

Conclusions:

• Japanese quail chicks exhibit remarkable behavioral and physiological plasticity in response to cold ambient temperatures.
• Cold exposure shifts the balance between growth and thermoregulation, prioritizing thermogenic function over immediate growth.
• Reduced foraging time is compensated by increased foraging efficiency, highlighting adaptive strategies for survival in cold environments.