Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, the use of maize (Zea mays L.) grain as an energy source in poultry feeds has become unsustainable due to competing demands and suboptimal growing conditions for the maize crop. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) grains are potential sustainable alternatives, given their tolerance to local growing conditions. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of total replacement of maize grain with whole or crushed sorghum and pearl millet grains on feed intake, and physiological and meat quality parameters of Jumbo quail. Five experimental diets were formulated by completely replacing crushed maize grain in a commercial grower diet (CON) with whole sorghum (WSG), crushed sorghum (CSG), whole millet (WMG), or crushed millet (CMG). Three hundred and fifty, two-week-old Jumbo quail chicks (74.7 ± 8.81 g live-weight) were evenly distributed into 35 replicate pens to which the experimental diets were allotted. Statistically similar (P > 0.05) weight gain and FCE values were observed between birds reared on the control and pearl millet-based diets. However, birds fed with sorghum-based diets had the lowest FCE and weight gain. Blood parameters fell within the normal ranges reported for healthy quail. Birds fed the whole sorghum grain diet had the least (P < 0.05) serum calcium and higher monocytes, cholesterol, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations compared to those reared on the control diet. Compared to the control, the whole sorghum-containing diet reduced (P < 0.05) carcass, breast, wing, thigh, drumstick, liver, gizzard, and large intestine weights of the birds. Complete replacement of maize grain with pearl millet grain (whole or crushed) did not compromise feed intake, growth performance, and meat quality traits of the Jumbo quail birds. However, whole sorghum grain reduced growth performance of the birds.
Highlights
A sustainable increase in poultry production could significantly contribute to the dietary needs of a growing human population and guarantee food and nutrition security
P value 0.0001 0.001 0.0001 0.916 a,b In row, means with common superscripts do not differ (P > 0.05). 1Diets: CON = maize grain-based commercial grower diet; WSG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with whole sorghum grain; CSG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with crushed sorghum grain; WMG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with whole millet grain; CMG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with crushed millet grain. 2SEM = standard error of the mean
0.545 a,b In row, means with common superscripts do not differ (P > 0.05). 1Diets: CON = maize grain-based commercial grower diet; WSG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with whole sorghum grain; CSG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with crushed sorghum grain; WMG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with whole millet grain; CMG = commercial grower diet in which maize grain was replaced with crushed millet grain. 2SEM = standard error of the mean
Summary
A sustainable increase in poultry production could significantly contribute to the dietary needs of a growing human population and guarantee food and nutrition security. Commercial quail diets still rely heavily on maize (Zea mays L.) grain as the major energy source [4], which poses a major challenge to quail farmers. This is because maize grain is a staple food for humans in subSaharan Africa, resulting in high market prices for this commodity [3]. Production of high-yielding maize varieties is a capital-intensive pursuit [4], characterized by high usage of synthetic fertilizers and irrigation water It is, imperative that alternative dietary energy sources be identified and evaluated as a contribution to sustainable quail farming
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