Fuzzy model to predict feed intake of Japanese quails

Abstract

Thermal environment management have been a barrier to increase quail production, once it exerts direct and indirect effects on egg production and welfare. The objective of this study was to develop a fuzzy model to predict feed intake of Japanese laying quails. The model was developed based on data derived from field measurements, laboratory and the literature, regarding the environmental influence on feed intake (FI, g) of Japanese quail in laying. Air temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%) were defined as input variable, and FI as output variable. Mandani’s inference and center of gravity deuzzification methods were used for developing the model, as well as, trapezoidal membership functions for the input and output variables. The standard deviation (SD) among the values of observed and predicted FI by the fuzzy model, ranged from 0.01 g to 1.10 g, and the average deviation was 0.41 g. The average error (AE) and coefficient of determination (R²) found were 2.22% and 0.93, respectively. Therefore, the low values of SD, AE and high values R² indicate that the fuzzy model can be applied to estimate feed intake of Japanese quails.