Effect of ascogen on the growth performance and carcass yield of Japanese quails

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of ASCOGEN, a biogenic performance enhancer, on growth, weight gain, feed conversion and processing performances of heavy-strain Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Six hundred quails were divided into three groups and fed a basal diet (24,5% CP and 12 MJ/kg ME) or a basal diet supplemented with 500 ppm and 1000 ppm Ascogen, from day 1 until 35 days of age. The group fed 1000 ppm Ascogen achieved at 35 days of age a significantly higher (P<0.05) final body weight, carcass weight (P<0.05), carcass yield (P<0.01), wing weight (P<0.01) drumstick weigh (P<0.05) compared to the control group. It exhibited also a lower feed consumption (by 3.61%), more efficient feed conversion (by 6.68%) and higher average daily weight gain (by 3.81%). The group fed 500 ppm Ascogen had a higher carcass weight (P<0.05), carcass yield (P<0.01) higher final body weight (+2.25 %), more efficient feed conversion (+3.2%) and higher daily weight gain (+2.18%) compared to the control group.