Egg production, economic indices, and external and internal egg quality parameters of laying Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) fed palm (Elaeis guineensis) kernel cake

Abstract

The feeding trial aimed to evaluate the egg production, quality parameters and economic benefits of using palm kernel cake, a byproduct of palm oil production in the diets of laying Japanese quails. Two hundred (200) nine-week-old laying Japanese quails were randomized into 5 groups replicated 4 times of 10 birds each in a six weeks trial. Palm kernel cake (PKC) was incorporated at 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40 % in formulating feed for the quails. The form of oil removal affected the PKC such that it had 91.51% dry matter, 15.70 % crude protein, 21.43 % crude fibre, 12.30 % ether extract, 1.44 % ash, 40.78 % nitrogen-free extract and 12.67MJkg-1 metabolizable energy. All egg production parameters were significantly different (P ≤ 0.05). The results in this study showed that feed cost/ kg, feed cost per crate, profit per crate and egg-feed-price ratio were significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) as well as the shell percentage, yolk-albumen weight, albumen weight, yolk height, colour and yolk index. In conclusion, laying Japanese quails can permit up to 40 % dietary PKC without negative effect on laying performance, better cost-benefit, improved shell percentage, albumen weight and percentage, and yolk index, however, the yolk colour becomes lighter with increased PKC inclusion.