Effect of Dietary Energy and Protein on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of White Plumage Japanese Quails During Summer Season

Abstract

An experiment, with different levels of dietary energy and protein, was conducted to assess the growth performance, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of meat type white plumage Japanese quail up to 5 weeks of age during summer season. Nine dietary treatments with three levels of crude protein (23, 25 and 27% CP) each at three levels of energy (2600, 2800 and 3000 kcal ME/kg) during starter (13 weeks) phase and 18, 20 and 22% CP each at three levels of energy (2800, 2900 and 3000 kcal ME/kg) during finisher (4–5 weeks) phase were offered respectively in 3 × 3 factorial design. A metabolism trial was conducted at 5th week, selecting 4 birds from each replicate using total collection method. Final BW, gain in weight, feed intake and FCR did not differ due to dietary energy levels, while final BW and gain in weight increased linearly (P≤0.05) with each increment of protein in the diets. N-retention, digestibility of ether extract, crude fibre, calcium and available phosphorus also showed significant (P≤0.05) variations due to different levels of energy and protein. Neither eviscerated weight nor dressing percentage was affected by dietary energy or protein levels; however, there was linear increase in abdominal fat content with increase in dietary energy at each level of protein. The percent giblet weight was lowest at highest level of energy and protein. The interaction of energy × protein during starter and finisher phase had significant (P≤0.05) effect on growth parameters and nutrient utilization. It may be concluded that 27% CP with 2600 kcal ME/kg during starter phase and 22% CP with 2900 kcal ME/kg in finisher phase is optimum for white plumage Japanese quail during summer season.