Determination of Energy Value of Corn with Different Methods for Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate two different method of energy determination on energy content of corn in Japanese quail. The experiment was carried out at 120 mature male quails with 134± 4 g mean live weight were assigned in a completely randomized design to three treatments: 1-The total collection of excreta method (TC), 2-External marker (Cr2o3) Method and 3-The last group for determination of endogenous losses. A reference diet (RD) was then formulated to supply the birds' nutritional requirements. Feedstuffs (corn) replaced RD at 40%. Five replications and eight quails per experimental unit were used. The experimental period was twelve days, seven days for adaptation to experimental cages and five days for the collection of excreta. Values of Apparent Metabolizable Energy (AME) and True Metabolizable Energy (TME) were calculated on the basis of analysis of result. Feed intake (FI) was measured during the experiment daily by difference between allocated feed and orts. Based on feed intake and dry matter records, dry matter consumption (DMC) was calculated. Excretion of DM was calculated based on excreta weight and DM of excreta in each replicate. Dry matter digestibility coefficient was measured by means of DM intake and DM excretion. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between TC and CrO method in energy values of corn. The means of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) of the corn with TC and CrO method was 2881.58 and 2985.25 Kcal/kg, respectively. Feedstuff metabolizable energy estimation using the external marker method with the use of chromium oxide (Cr2o3) was similar to that obtained using total excreta collection method, demonstrating that total excreta collection can be replaced by chromium oxide (Cr2o3) marker methods in Japanese quail. The difference observed in the metabolizable energy values of corn among this study and NRC recommendation suggested that Japanese quail can used energy content of corn less efficiently than chickens.