Quail Production Research Articles

Productivity of quails in the final period of egg production under the regime of limited feeding

Productivity of quails in the final period of egg production under the regime of limited feeding

Productivity of quails at different levels of yeast extract (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Productivity of quails at different levels of yeast extract (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.): a natural growth promoter for Japanese quails

The rapid growth and high egg production rate of quails have increased the importance of the quail industry. However, the intensive systems recently used in quail production negatively affect quail productivity. The use of medicinal plants as efficient natural growth promoters in animal production has been widely applied. This study is designed to find out the effects of chamomile aqueous extract on the growth performance and feed efficiency of Japanese quail. Fourty immature Japanese quails (two weeks old) were used in the study, which lasted for four weeks (2-6 weeks of age). Experimental treatments involved: control, with no additive in drinking water; experimental (chamomile extract 3ml/L drinking water) with 20 birds per group. Results showed that quail supplemented with chamomile extract showed increased final weight, weight gain, and weight gain percentage in comparison with the control group. Moreover, the feed conversion ratio was lower in the chamomile-treated group. Chamomile extract can be recommended as an effective and safe growth promotor for immature Japanese quail.

Valorization of cricket, Acheta domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758), flour as a source of dietary protein in Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica (Temminck and Schlegel, 1849), farming.

Objective:Quail production is ranked as an important alternative animal protein source in Cameroon. One of the main constraints of this production is the quality of feed, which lacks protein that is regularly supplied by fish meal. To avoid disagreements due to the constant shortage of fish meal, alternative protein sources are needed, and among them are crickets (Acheta domesticus). The goal of this study was to find out how well Japanese quails could be raised if fish meal was replaced with cricket meal.Materials and Methods:A total of 192, 4-week-old quails were divided into 12 similar sets of 8 females and 8 males. The Four experimental diets (T00, T15, T30, and T45) were all formulated based on the level (0%, 15%, 30%, and 45%, respectively) of fish meal substitution with cricket meal in the basal diet (crude protein: 20.18% and ME: 3,013.78 kcal/kg) and randomly assigned to three sets in a completely randomized design consisting of four treatments each repeated three times. Growth, carcass, and some reproduction parameters were collected. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and the Duncan test, with a significance level of 5%.Results:Cricket meal diets increased body weight in males (204.32 ± 5.69 gm for T45) and regardless of the sex (226.72 ± 29.45 gm for T30) compared to 184.17 ± 3.11 gm and 214.55 ± 32.77 gm for the control group, respectively. In females, substitution at 30% increased body weight (253.80 ± 6.48 gm), while 45% induced a reduction (216.67 ± 6.49 gm) when compared to the control group value (244.92 ± 6.07 gm). Carcass yield and the proportion of different parts were not significantly affected by the experimental diets. Liver proportions were significantly higher at 15% and 35% cricket meal incorporation compared to 45%. First songs and egg laying were recorded at 7 weeks with T15, which also led to improved egg laying performance compared to the other treatments. Ovaries were poorly developed in the T45 females compared to the other treatments.Conclusions:Cricket flour might be a good candidate as a locally available protein source to substitute fish meal in the Japanese quail’s diet at the finisher and reproductive stages, and the level of 30% seems to be more efficient.

БУКОВАЯ МУКА В РАЦИОНЕ ПЕРЕПЕЛОВ

To increase the meat productivity of quails, increase production volumes and reduce the cost of poultry production, it is necessary to include non-traditional additives in the poultry diet that contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes and improve the digestibility of feed nutrients. The article presents the results of a study on the use of beech flour in feeding meat quails. Feeding experimental compound feeds to quails increased the digestibility and use of nutrients, the profitability of meat production by 3 and 4.5%, and reduced costs per 1 kg of growth by 2.07 and 3.79%.

Productivity of quails for use in fodder of polyphenol carbon complex from antarctic black yeast Nadsoniella nigra

In the article, results of researches on an establishment of an optimum level of polyphenolic carbon complex from Antarctic black yeast Nadsoniella nigra are resulted. Experimental studies conducted in terms of problem research laboratory of feed additives National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. Independent experiment was conducted with growing quails. We conducted a randomized block experiment with 4 treatments, each with 4 replicates of 30 growing birds (1 to 42 d of age). It was experimentally established that feeding quails polyphenolcarbonate complex from antarctic black yeast Nadsoniella nigra, the basis of which is melanin, in the compound feed at 1.0 mg/kg increased body weight at 42 days of age by 3.2 % (P < 0.001). Feeding the complex at the level of 0.5 mg/kg contributed to a probable increase in body weight of animals by 2.9 % (P < 0.001). The difference between animals of groups 3 and 4 was 0.3 %. This indicates an already effective dose of the complex at the level of 0.5 mg/kg of feed. Adding to the feed complex at the level of 0.1–1.0 mg/1 kg of feed helps to reduce feed costs by 0.6–1.6 %. The most effective feed conversion for the 1–42-day period is set at 3,345 kg per 1 kg of body weight gain of quails.

Effect of different fattening period duration on meat productivity of domestic quails

Abstract. The study was conducted with 224 domestic quails from the specialized meat-type WG line. The duration of fattening period and sex on productive traits, slaughter traits and meat quality of quails was evaluated. The study has shown that the longer duration of the fattening period in quails from the meat-type line WG was associated with lower production efficiency, with more reduction after the 35th day of life. The production efficiency in male quails was lower compared to that in females. The dispersion analysis demonstrated that the determination of 72.2% and 69.6% of dressed carcass weight and deboned meat weight, respectively, depended on fattening period duration (p<0.001). When fattening increased from 28 to 42 days, the amount of feed necessary for one bird increased by 73% and 87%, corresponding to increased costs by 64.5% and 77%. For production of 1 kg dressed quail carcasses, the necessary feed increased by 42.3-45.8% on a weight basis and by 35-37.7% on a cost basis. For production of 1 kg deboned quail meat, corresponding increases are by 42.1-49.5% and 34.8-41.2%, respectively. The period between 28 and 35 days of age was the most appropriate for planning slaughter of WG quails. During that period, the economic efficiency, although already declining, was still within acceptable limits and the increase in quantitative traits in both sexes – still relevant, making the produce more attractive for consumers. With age, the changes in colour characteristics of M. pectoralis superficialis result in darkening of meat (p<0.001). Thus, it assumes nuances specific rather for game meat. This effect is desirable, as it improves the commercial presentation of domestic quail meat in line with consumers’ attitudes.

PENGOLAHAN DAN STRATEGI PEMASARAN PRODUK OLAHAN BURUNG PUYUH SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF PENINGKATAN INCOME SELAMA MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 DI KOTA KENDARI

Kendari City as the provincial capital has the highest incidence of positive covid-19 cases compared to other districts / cities in Southeast Sulawesi, Until April 23, 2020 there were 17 positive patients with Covid-19 who were undergoing treatment. This has implications for decreasing consumption and people's income because they cannot carry out normal activities. The steps taken by the central and local governments to combat the Covid-19 pandemic are by carrying out social distancing or social restrictions by limiting distances between individuals and avoiding crowds. Another government policy is the implementation of work from home (WFH) or activities from home for some employees and school children. This condition adversely affects the economy of Kendari city. One of the solutions offered is raising quail by utilizing the house yard. Quail maintenance is quite easy, does not require a large area and the maintenance system can be completed in a minimalist manner. Quail products consist of eggs and meat. Quail meat is processed into rica-rica quail meat and eggs are processed into quail egg nest tofu. KKN-THEMATIC aims to provide insights and knowledge about processing and marketing of processed quail products to the public. The method used is a persuasive participatory method with direct extension activities and practices. The results that have been achieved in this KKN-TEMATIK activity are an increase in the knowledge and understanding of breeders and the community in developing their business sustainability by making processed quail products, aswell as marketing management of processed quail products.

Egg productivity of quails of Japanese breed under different phase feeding schemes

The primary cause of injuries and inflammation of the reproductive system in female quails in industrial quail farming is the process of egg formation and its passage through the oviduct. With technological injuries females aged from 42 to 55 days are involved into the risk zone, whose weight of laid eggs ranges from 11,6 to 13,7 g. In previous morphological and histological studies, the following patterns of development of the organs of the reproductive system of quails under conditions of intensive technology have been established. The development of the reproductive organs of female quails of Japanese breed proceeds sequentially in seven periods: the first (1–21 days) is the period of relative rest of the growth of organs, the second (21–35 days) is the period of intensive morphogenesis of the ovaries and oviduct departments, the third (35–45 days) is the period of preparation and the beginning of egg laying, the fourth (45–75 days) is the period of egg laying growth or functional formation of the oviduct departments, the fifth (75–185 days) is the period of intensive folliculogenesis and high secretory activity of the departments of the oviduct or the peak of egg production, the sixth (185–200 days) is the beginning of the involution of the reproductive organs and a decrease in the rate of egg production, the seventh (200 days and older) is the involution of the reproductive organs and the termination of egg laying. Taking into account these patterns of development of the reproductive organs of quails, the feeding scheme of female egg quails has been adjusted, which provides for the division of the productive period into 4 phases: phase 1 is the beginning of egg production (36–45 days), phase 2 is the growth of egg production (46–75 days), phase 3 is the peak of egg production (76–185 days) and phase 4 is the decline of egg production (185–200 days). The proposed scheme of phase feeding of female quails of Japanese breed during the productive period is the advantageous technological technique, since it allows to reduce the injuries of the poultry oviduct and improve the quality indicators of the quail egg, as a result of reducing the weight and size of eggs in the initial phase of egg production and the number of large eggs during the entire productive period. The use of the new scheme of phase feeding of female quails of Japanese breed allows us to get more egg mass by 67,5 kg, due to the increase in the gross harvest of commercial quail eggs by 4,5 % and the livability of the quails by 5,6 %.

Impact of Protein Source and Its Levels on Egg Production and Egg Quality of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Fish and soybean meal are known as common utilized crude protein sources in poultry diets. Quail birds often need higher requirements of dietary protein which influences its productive performance. The aim of the experiment is to determine the impact of protein source with different levels on egg production and egg quality characteristics. The experiment was carried out at animal production dept., University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region- Iraq, during spring 2020 for 56 days. The birds were divided into two main groups (fish meal and soybean meal) with three levels of crude protein (CP) as sub groups (20%, 23% and 26%). At 35 days of age, 240 quails were sexed and distributed on wire cages as four replications for each protein level within each group (treatment) as family (8 pullets with 2 cocks). The investigated characters were; Egg weight (EW), egg number (EN), egg mass (EM), egg quality characteristics (shape index, high, weight and diameter of both, yolk and albumen, egg shell thickness and weight and Haugh units); feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), hatchability and fertility percentage. The main results were as follows; EW, EM and most of egg quality characteristics did not show significant difference (P>0.05) either by source of protein or its levels; also, FI and FCR did not differ significantly (P>0.05) by the effect of protein source; while EN, FI and FCR were affected significantly (P≤0.05) by CP level. To conclude, there was no obvious trend for the effect of both CP source and level on early egg yield and egg quality in J. quail.

Meat productivity of quails by feeding nanocrystalline cerium dioxide

The use of nanomaterials in poultry farming has become increasingly popular as feed additives capable of increasing the productivity of the herd. Nanocrystalline cerium dioxide belongs to nanomaterials with a broad spectrum of activity. Owing to their oxygen non-stoichiometry and low toxicity, cerium dioxide nanoparticles are a very promising object for agriculture. The paper presents the results of studying the meat productivity of quails of the Pharaoh breed when drinking nanocrystalline cerium dioxide in the composition of the feed additive “Nanocerium”. The study was carried out on quails during the rearing period from 14 to 49 days. For the experiment, two groups (control and experimental) of 24 heads each were formed from one day old poultry. The quails were kept in a vivarium, in cage batteries, subject to the accepted microclimate conditions. Poultry of both groups received compound feed, developed taking into account age and physiological characteristics. With drinking water, the of the experimental group additionally received nanocrystalline cerium dioxide as part of the feed additive “Nanocerium” at a dose of 8,6 mg per liter of water for 35 days. The quail population was counted and weighed weekly, starting from the day-old age. The following indicators were determined: safety, dynamics of live weight, average daily gain in live weight. According to the results of the control slaughter and anatomical cutting, the weight of the carcass and the weight of the edible part were determined. Slaughter qualities and morphological composition of quail carcasses were determined by anatomical cutting with the measurement of the following parameters: pre-slaughter weight, half-battered carcass weight, carcass patrana, slaughter yield, weight of edible parts. Drinking the feed additive “Nanocerium” by young quails increased their safety by 4.17%, live weight and absolute average daily gain by 20.3 g and 0.48 g (P <0.05), respectively. The addition of NDC quails to drinking water contributed to an increase in their pre-slaughter weight by 19.3 g, half-gutted carcass by 18.0 g, and gutted by 17.5 g in comparison with the control group. The quail carcasses of the experimental group had a higher yield of edible parts in comparison with the poultry that consumed pure water. Key words: quail, nanocrystalline cerium dioxide, safety, body mass, gain, slaughter rates, output of edible part.

Immunomorphological rationale for the use of beekeeping products to improve the productivity of quails

The effectiveness and high degree of biological effect of dead bees extract in medium doses on the nature and degree of morphofunctional rearrangements in the immunocompetent structures of the central and peripheral immune organs and immunocytological reactions in them have been established. A scientifically based scheme for the use of dead bees extract is proposed to improve the livability of livestock, increase live weight and improve the biochemical indicators of the quality of quail meat. Dead bees extract in low and especially in medium doses increase the production of the red bone marrow cells of the granular germ of white blood cells by 22,2 and 25,6 %, lymphoid cells by 4,7 and 6,9 %, erythroid germ by 2,3 and 11,0 %. Under the action of dead bees extract in the Fabricius bag quail strengthens the processes of maturation and differentiation of B-lymphocytes, which is manifested by extension immunocompetent cortical area in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups (30 and 60 days of experiment by 10,4 and 22,1 % and 12,3 and 24,3 %, respectively), a reduction in brain area. The increase in the weight of the Fabricius bag (despite its general involution) in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups on 30 and 60 days was 1,24 and 1,47, 2,59 and 3,0 times, respectively. In the thymus of quails under the influence of low and medium doses of dead bees extract the intensifi cation of maturation and differentiation of T-lymphocytes, resulting in the expansion of the cortical substance on 30, 60 and 90 days of 1,55 and 1,62, 1,42 and 1,73, 1,61 and 1,95 times, respectively, against the background of the depletion of brain matter, in excess of the thymus weight (with its expressed total involution) by 1,32 and 1,42, by 1,38 and 1,5, by 1,24 and 1,34 times, respectively. Dead bees extract activates the processes of antibody formation, increasing the immunological activity of the spleen in the form of expansion of the area of lymph nodes without light centers in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups by 1,39, 1,83 and 1,5 times, respectively, and with light centers by 1,57, 1,79 and 1,19 times (B-zone). It increases the area of the perivascular lymphoid coupling (T-zone) by 1,5, 1,8 and 1,28 times, respectively, activates immunocytological reactions, increases the weight of the spleen of quails. The live weight of the males of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups exceeded the control by 27,6, 31,8 and 18,9 g, and the females by 17,6, 27,7 and 9,9 g, respectively. The livability of livestock in the control group was 78,0 %, in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups 89,0, 95,0 and 85,0 %, respectively.

The Effect of Using Different Levels of American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) powder on Productive and Physiological Performance of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of using different levels of American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) powder on productive and physiological performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). One hundred and thirty-five, 45 days-old of Japanese quail females were randomly divided into three groups (45 females for each). Each group has three replicates (15 females per each). The groups were included: The first group was fed on experimental diet included with 0 % of insect powder and 6% of protein concentration as the control. The second group was fed on experimental diet included with 3% of protein concentration and 3% of insect powder. The third group was fed on experimental diet included with 0 % of protein concentration and 6% of insect powder. The results showed no significant in the egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio and mortality among groups. The birds in the third group were recorded a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the egg production (%), on the other hand, it recorded a less value in the feed intake compared to other groups. The results of relative weight of ovaries and oviducts showed the birds in the third group were recorded a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) compared to other groups. On the other hand, the second group was recorded a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) compared to first group (control). The results were indicated no significant in the levels of estrogen hormone among groups. While, the results of the levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were indicated a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the third group compared to other groups. In addition to, the second group was recorded a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) compared to first group (control). In conclusions, so far proves the potential of the American cockroach (P. americana) meal for use in quail production systems. American cockroach (P. americana) food based feed can completely replace protein sources by 100 per cent without negative effect on the productive performance of quail and, in some ways, can achieve better than conventional protein based feeds such as protein concentrations. On the other hand, the American cockroach (P. americana) meal improved physiological performance of quail.

Actions of edamame soybean isoflavones in an avian model: the Japanese quail (Cortunix-cortunix japónica)

Isoflavone are soybean compounds that possess weak estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities. The present study examined the effect of extract isoflavone of edamame soybean supplementation into the poultry ration to increasing production and reproduction performance of Japanese quail hens. The research was an experimental observation applying Complete Randomized Design. The treatment done was supplementation of the extract isoflavone into the ration, quantitatively, i.e P0 : 0% (group control), P1 : 0.1%, P2 : 0.3%, and P3 : 05%, in every single treatment consists of 5 repetitions of 10 quails each. The level isoflavone of edamame soybean were 0.0015% for deidzein and 0.0013% for genistein. The treatment was done for fourteen days old quail until its sexual maturity. Observation was conducted for the growth, feed intake, age at sexual maturity, weight of the first laying egg, cholesterol egg and performance of production in quail hens. The results of experiment indicate that the addition of extract isoflavone in the ration did not exert an effect on reproductive performance, and egg production of female quail (p>0.05). There was a tendency that the supplementation of extract isoflavone could increase in sexual maturity and reduce cholesterol egg of quail. It is concluded that the supplementation of extract isoflavone of edamame soybean up to 0.5% has not been able to improve production and reproductive performance and reduce cholesterol levels of quail egg.

Addition of papaya (Carica papaya L.) seed meal on quail production performance

This study was determined the effect of adding papaya seed meal on quail performances. A total of 168 75-days-old quail were randomly assigned to four treatments with six replications with seven birds on each replications. The experimental treatments were diet contain 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% papaya seed meal. The experimental diet were given for four weeks. Parameters were feed intake, total production, henday production, egg weight and feed conversion. The data was analysed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). We found that adding papaya seed meal significantly decrease feed intake, total production and henday production (P<0.05). However, adding papaya seed meal was unaffected egg weight and feed conversion.

Performance of Quails with Aloe vera Extract and Acid cheese whey Supplementation

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Aloe vera extract and Acid cheese whey on the growth and productivity of quails. A total of 300 quails distributed to 5 treatments with four replications using Complete Randomized Design (CRD). This was a four-month study starting from growing to laying period of quails. Treatment Levels were; T1= 0mL AVE and ACW, T2=15mL AVE, T3=25mL AVE, T4=15mL ACW, and T5=25mL ACW per gallon of water. Results revealed no significant differences on final weight, gain weight, feed consumption, and water consumption except on feed conversion ratio which is significantly different among treatments. Numerically, birds with AVE and ACW supplementation showed higher performance on the parameters studied. Results suggests that Aloe vera extract and Acid Cheese Whey can be used to increase growth and egg production performance in quails. KEY WORDS: T. gigantea leaf meal, Aloe extract, acid cheese whey, quail, egg qualities

Protein concentrates based on extruded lupine grain, with the use of enzymes, in feeding calves and poultry

The solution to the food security of the population of any region depends on the creation of its own production of high-protein plant feeds. Protein nutrition issues need to be addressed quickly, both in protein production and in rational use. Unbalanced diets for protein inhibits the growth and development of young animals, disrupts metabolism, increases feed consumption per unit of production, thereby increasing its cost. Under these conditions, the use of non-traditional protein feeds of local production and the creation of new recipes for energy-protein concentrates as full-fledged components of compound feeds has become one of the tasks of the Kaliningrad research Institute of agriculture-a branch of the Federal research center all-Russian Institute of feed named after V. R. Williams.The author has been working on the problem of protein deficiency since 2000. She started at the Federal state unitary enterprise “Novonikolaevskoe” in the Balakovsky district of the Saratov region with scientists from the Department of animal feeding at the Vavilov state agricultural University: doctors of agricultural Sciences Alexander Petrovich Korobov, Sergey Petrovich Moskalenko, Alexey Alekseevich Vasiliev, and continued from 2009 to the present at the Kaliningrad research Institute of agricultural research.The article presents data on feeding calves (2013-2019) and quails (2019) energy-protein concentrate based on extruded grain of narrow-leaved lupine, instead of soy, subjected to heat treatment on a press extruder as part of compound feed; determining the effect of the concentrate on changing the productivity of calves and quails. Calves were fed lupine concentrate with a shell, quails without a shell with the addition of an enzyme preparation.It was found that the feed value of the extruded concentrate based on lupine is not inferior to the extruded concentrate based on soy and allows you to get good gains in live weight of animals and poultry. Concentrate based on lupine, with the addition of enzymes in biological value is equal to full-fat soy.

Effect of partial replacement of wheat with extruded bakery waste in fattened domestic quail rations

A study was conducted to establish the possibilities for replacing 5 and 10% of wheat in the combined feed for domestic quails with extruded bakery waste and to study its impact on the growth and productivity of quails. 270 domestic quails from the specialized meat production line WG were included in the experiment and divided according to the principle of analogues into 3 aligned groups: control, fed with mixtures without the inclusion of extruded waste from bakeries; experimental I, in the mixtures of which 5% of the wheat was replaced with extruded bakery waste and experimental II, in which 10% of the wheat in the mixtures was replaced by extruded bakery waste. The experiment continued until the age of 35 days. The following signs were monitored: mortality (%), live weight (g), average daily weight gain (g), feed consumption (g), feed conversion (kg/kg weight gain). The study showed that for the 35-day period, the quails from the specialized meat production line WG consumed an average of 812-817 g of compound feed, with an average increase of the weight gain 255-258 g. Under these conditions, the average feed conversion ratio is in the range of 3.15-3.20. In the course of the trial it was found that the replacement of 5 and 10% of wheat in the feed mixture with extruded bakery waste reduces the value of compound feed by an average of 0.85 and 1.7%, but does not affect the studied productivity traits and economic indicators from fattening. When summarizing the results for the 35-day period, the differences between the control and experimental groups on the studied productive traits are less than 2%, and the difference in the value of 1 kg weight gain between the groups is less than 1%.

Millet and Sorghum as Possible Dietary Energy Sources in the Diet of Japanese Quails

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of millet and sorghum as alternatives to maize. on performance and egg production parameters of quails. Three hundred (300) day old quails were sourced form National Veterinary Institute Jos. The birds were brooded for two weeks and randomly allotted to three (3) different energy sources i.e. maize, millet and sorghum designated as treatment 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The birds were fed with experimental diets for six months. Results showed daily feed intake (68.35-79.86), daily weight gain (3.41-3.43) and feed conversion ratio (3.33-3.91) were not affected by the different energy sources (P>0.05). Most of the carcass parameters were statistically similar (P>0.05). The hen day egg production (80.21-84.51) and egg production parameters were not affected by the alternative energy sources (P>0.05), similarly hematological parameters showed that packed cell volume (50.20-56.00), red blood cells (4.72-5.21) and hemoglobin (16.98-18.38) were statistically similar (P>0.05). The serum biochemical parameters showed that total protein (36.20-39.80), globulins (11.60-14.44), total protein (36.20-39.80), glucose (12.68-14.82), cholesterol (5.36-6.78), urea (17.80-20.00) and ASAT (1.98-2.08) were not affected by the different energy sources (P>0.05). I It can be concluded that millet and sorghum can be alternative energy sources in quail production in semi-arid environment of Gashua Yobe state with reduction in cost of production.

Effect of dietary protein level on egg production and egg-quality characteristics of Japanese quail (

Context Quail production is increasingly emerging as a low-capital, cheap, alternative source for supplementing protein intake among peoples in tropical countries such as Nigeria. Aims To increase animal protein sources, promote their availability to rural people, and reduce the unit cost of protein to the people, the effect of dietary crude protein on feed consumption, egg productivity and egg-quality characteristics of quail in the high-altitude Ekiti area of Nigeria was evaluated. Methods In total, 142 mature Japanese quails, divided into four groups with four replicates per group, were fed with four diets differing in dietary protein concentration with a near-isocaloric maize–groundnut cake–soybean meal-based diets for 10 weeks. Three experimental diets (18%, 22% and 24% crude protein (CP)) were tested and compared with a control 20% CP diet, in a completely randomised design of four replicates per treatment. Each consisted of 10 quails/cage at 5 weeks of age. Parameters measured on each quail included feed intake, egg number and egg-quality characteristics. Data were subjected to general linear model, regression and Duncan multiple-range procedures for means separation by SAS®v9.4 (2013). Key results Increasing dietary protein from 18% to 24% in the diet of experimental quails decreased daily feed intake, hen-day egg production (HDP) and average egg mass (AEM; P &lt; 0.05) during egg lay, whereas egg weight and diameter, egg shell weight, albumen weight, height and percentage, and yolk height increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05). The 18% CP diet produced the highest HDP and AEM responses (P &lt; 0.05). The 20% CP diet produced the highest numerical shell and yolk percentages (P &gt; 0.05). Birds on 22% CP diet consumed the lowest quantity of feed (daily feed intake, P &lt; 0.05) and had the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR, P &gt; 0.05). Birds on 24% CP diet produced the highest egg weight and diameter, egg shell weight, albumen weight, height and percentage, and yolk height (P &lt; 0.05). Haugh unit values were high and uninfluenced by an increasing dietary protein concentration (P &gt; 0.05). The high and above-threshold environmental temperature–humidity index value of the test station resulted in heat stress during egg production, and was considered major cause of the generally low productivity and low egg-trait values obtained. Conclusions The 18% CP diet produced the highest HDP and AEM, while the 22% CP diet was the most efficiently utilised diet, and 24% CP diet stimulated higher egg-weight and egg-quality traits. Implications Massive quail egg production could be sustained among rural people with the 18% CP diet, with adequate energy level, and without adverse effects on egg quality.