A total number of 540, sexed 4 weeks old Dandarawi chicks were wing-banded, individually weighed, divided into 270 males (M) and 270 females (F) and then randomly assorted into three equal groups, each of 90 M and 90 F, the first was considered the control (C), while the second and the third groups were the treatments L1 and L2, respectively. Birds per group were also divided into three replicates, each of 30 M and 30 F, which were separately kept in two partitions, each of 5 square meters and provided with deep litter of 8 cm height. Females were raised till 40 weeks of age, while the males continued up to sexual maturity at 24 weeks of age. Birds in the control group (C) were placed on 100% chopped wheat straw litter, while those of the treatments L1 and L2 were raised on mixed litter of: 25% chopped rice hulls, 25 % wheat straw, 25% wood sawdust and 25% clay and of 20 % chopped rice hulls, 20 % wheat straw, 20 % wood sawdust and 40 % clay, respectively. All experimental birds were raised under similar environmental and managerial conditions. The results of the productive traits were almost similar for the Dandarawi birds of C and L1, since they had better productivity on economical basis; higher body weight and body weight gain; better egg production; improved feed conversion and lower mortality percentages as compared to those of L2. In addition, L1 decreased the suspended airborne dust particulates as well as the bacterial count inside the poultry house, which positively reflected on the immunity and health condition of the birds. Therefore, it could be concluded that, using clay as a component of the litter at a level of 25% for growing and laying Dandarawi chicken is highly recommended.

A total number of 540, sexed 4 weeks old Dandarawi chicks were wing-banded, individually weighed, divided into 270 males (M) and 270 females (F) and then randomly assorted into three equal groups, each of 90 M and 90 F, the first was considered the control (C), while the second and the third groups were the treatments L1 and L2, respectively. Birds per group were also divided into three replicates, each of 30 M and 30 F, which were separately kept in two partitions, each of 5 square meters and provided with deep litter of 8 cm height. Females were raised till 40 weeks of age, while the males continued up to sexual maturity at 24 weeks of age. Birds in the control group (C) were placed on 100% chopped wheat straw litter, while those of the treatments L1 and L2 were raised on mixed litter of: 25% chopped rice hulls, 25 % wheat straw, 25% wood sawdust and 25% clay and of 20 % chopped rice hulls, 20 % wheat straw, 20 % wood sawdust and 40 % clay, respectively. All experimental birds were raised under similar environmental and managerial conditions. The results of the productive traits were almost similar for the Dandarawi birds of C and L1, since they had better productivity on economical basis; higher body weight and body weight gain; better egg production; improved feed conversion and lower mortality percentages as compared to those of L2. In addition, L1 decreased the suspended airborne dust particulates as well as the bacterial count inside the poultry house, which positively reflected on the immunity and health condition of the birds. Therefore, it could be concluded that, using clay as a component of the litter at a level of 25% for growing and laying Dandarawi chicken is highly recommended.

Four hundred and fifty, 4 weeks old, sexed Japanese quail birds were wing- banded, individually weighed and equally distributed into two groups (G1 to G2). G1 was reared on litter floor, while G2 was housed in batteries with a sex ratio of 1:2. Each group was divided into two equal subgroups at two densities which were further classified into 3 replicates (30 and 45 bird/replicate). All experimental birds were raised till 20 weeks of age. The achieved results could be concluded as follow: The BWG of females (F) raised in batteries at both densities I and II (BD1 and BD2) exceeded (P≤0.05) those of F raised on litter floor at both densities I and II (LD1 and LD2). The mortality rate decreased in batteries than on litter flower. Also, it decreased at the lower stocking density than that of the higher density. The feed consumption from 4 to 8 weeks of age for M and F in LD1 and LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) those of BD1 and BD2. The feed conversion as g feed per g gain (FCRg) of F at both densities (BD1 and BD2) improved (P≤0.05) than those of LD1 and LD2. The FCRg values of M at BD2 improved (P≤0.05) than that of LD2. Feed conversion as g feed per g egg mass (FCRe) for LD1 and LD2 were significantly (P≤0.05) better than those of BD1 and BD2. The differences in egg weight, egg shell thickness and albumen percentage among all groups were insignificant. Shell percentage of birds at LD1 and LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) those of BD1 and BD2. The hen day production (HDP), egg number (EN) and egg mass (EM) surpassed (P≤0.05) in LD1 those of LD1, BD1 and BD2. The birds in LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) those of BD1 and BD2 for HDP, EN and EM. The fertility percentage (FP) for LD2 exceeded (P≤0.05) that of LD1, BD1 and BD2. Economical efficiency (EE) of birds raised on litter floor exceeded that of birds raised in batteries. It exceeded at LD1 those of LD2, BD1 and BD2, while it at LD2 surpassed those of BD1 and BD2. In general, quails raised on litter floor had higher EE than that of birds raised in battery cages. The birds raised on litter floor were superior in FCRe, HDP, EN and EM; in addition to improved FP. Quails raised at the densities I and II on litter floor had the same EE. Applying the density II could be considered more economic and efficient than density I due to saving in management costs as well as in raising housing space area.