Replacing Soybean Meal (SBM) by Canola Meal (CM) : The Effects of Multi-enzyme and Phytase Supplementation on the Performance of Growing and Laying Quails

Abstract

In this research, the possibilities of using canola meal (CM) in place of soybean meal (SBM), and also the effects of multi-enzyme and phytase supplementation on the performance of quails were investigated. For this purpose, soybean meal (44% CP), canola meal (37% CP), phytase (produced from Peniophora luci) and multi-enzyme (β-glucanases, pectinases, cellulases and hemicellulases) were used. CM was used supplying 0, 25 and 50% of CP from SBM and each of the phytase and multi-enzyme blends were added to the each level. This study was conducted with 675 day old quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) in 9 groups with 3 replicates including 25 birds (mixed sex) per replicate. Nine isocalaric and isonitrogenous diets were prepared. The effects of enzymes and CM levels were studied with a 3×3×3 factorial arrangement for three CM levels (0, 25 and 50%), three treatments (without enzyme, phytase enzyme and multi-enzyme) and three replicates. While the 25% CM level did not affect the liveweight gain 50% CM level decreased the liveweight gain (p<0.05). Multi-enzyme addition to the 50% CM group increased the liveweight gain compared to the other groups (p<0.05). CM levels and enzyme supplementation had no effect on feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, viability, tibia ash content, Ca and P contents of tibia ash, viscera weight, gizzard weight and length of growth period. While heart weight and liver weight were not affected by CM levels, but they were affected by enzyme supplementation. CM levels and enzyme supplementation did not affect final liveweight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg yield, egg weight, shell weight and shell index during laying period. The increase in the CM level lightened the colour of the yolk (p<0.05). (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 10 : 1457-1463)