Dietary fermented Azolla sp. accelerates sexual maturity of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

This study examined the effects of dietary fermented Azolla sp. with probiotic yeast and Lactobacillus sp. (FA) on the reproduction performance of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at sexual maturity. This research was using 160 quails aged 15 days distributed in a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of four treatments and five replications. The diets were: P0 (0% FA), P1 (2.5% FA), P2 (5% FA) and P3 (7.5% FA). The data collected were the sexual maturity age of laying eggs (days), body weight at sexual maturity, the first egg weight, feed intake, and feed conversion. The results showed that early egg laying age, first egg weight, and body weight at sexual maturity was significantly affected (P<0.05) by the addition of dietary probiotic fermented Azolla with different concentrations. The consumption and feed conversion between treatments were not significantly different (P>0.05). Overall, the results indicate that the use of dietary fermented Azolla reaches 7.5% could accelerate the age of sexual maturity, and increase body weight at sexual maturity and first egg weight, without affecting feed consumption and conversion of quail feed.