Abstract
The response of growing Japanese quails (White Breasted line-CARI UJJWAL, n=900, divided into 36 subgroups) to three dietary levels of essential amino acids (EAA) at three different metabolizable energy (ME) levels (3×3 factorial design) on growth and immunity was investigated. Nine diets including three levels of ME (2700, 2900 and 3100 kcal/kg) each at three levels of EAA (low, medium and high) were formulated. Each diet was offered to 4 replicated groups of 25 Japanese quails up to 5 weeks of age. The ratio of lysine to protein and the level of methionine and threonine to lysine, as specified by NRC (NRC, 1994), remained almost similar in all the diets. Body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio did not differ statistically due to the treatments i.e. interaction of ME and EAA levels. However, there was linear increase in body weight gain with increased EAA levels during 0-3 or 0-5 weeks of age. Feed intake increased linearly with the decreased ME (P<0.01) and increased EAA (P<0.01) in diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved (P<0.01) linearly with increase in dietary ME concentration from 0-3, 3-5 or 0-5 weeks of age. Protein efficiency (PE) improved (P<0.01) with decreased EAA levels and also with the increase in dietary ME level during 0-3, 3-5 and 0-5 weeks of growing age, whereas energy efficiency is influenced by EAA levels during 0-3 and 3-5 weeks of age (P<0.01). Maximum performance index during 0-5 weeks of age was observed in diet with 3100 kcal ME/Kg and 115% EAA. Nitrogen retention per unit energy intake was increased (P<0.01) with the increased EAA levels and decreased energy levels. Humoral (SRBC) and cellular (PHA-P) immune response did not differ due to ME, EAA or ME x EAA. Thus, it was concluded that the optimum level of dietary ME is 2700 kcal/kg with CP 25.83%, lysine 1.49%, methionine 0.58% and threonine 1.17% on dry matter basis during 0-5 weeks of age was optimum for gain. However for optimum feed conversion, the growing quails required diet with ME 3100 kcal/kg with CP 23.23%, lysine 1.30%, methionine 0.50% and threonine 1.02% for 0-5 weeks of age.
Highlights
Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) is one of the diversified poultry species reared for commercial egg and meat production
The ratios of the most limiting amino acids in relation to lysine calculated from NRC (1994) specification were taken as base for formulation of diets and setting experimental design
The quails received diet with high essential amino acids (EAA) level grew faster (P
Summary
Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) is one of the diversified poultry species reared for commercial egg and meat production It is blessed with the unique characteristics of fast growth, early sexual maturity, high rate of egg production, short generation interval and shorter incubation period that makes it suitable for diversified animal agriculture. They are fairly resistant to diseases, and impart less worry for vaccination. The present study was conducted to elucidate the response of growing Japanese quail to different levels of essential amino acid (EAA) at reduced dietary CP content with different levels of energy for optimum growth. The ratios of the most limiting amino acids (methionine and threonine) in relation to lysine calculated from NRC (1994) specification were taken as base for formulation of diets and setting experimental design
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
