PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica) FED DIETS CONTAINING DIFFERENT PROTEIN AND ENERGY LEVELS

ABSTRACT

A study which lasted 70 days was conducted to determine the performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets containing four different protein and four energy levels. Five  hundred  and  seventy  six  (576)  Japanese  quail  aged  two  weeks  were  used  for  this experiment. Battery cages with 48 different compartments were used. The Japanese quails were randomly distributed into 16 treatments and each treatment was replicated three (3) times and 12 quails per replicate using a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design. The Japanese quails were fed on sixteen diets consisting of four levels of energy (2600, 2800, 3000 and 3200 Kcal ME/kg) and four levels of  protein (20, 22, 24 and 26 % CP) during growth and laying performance phases. Data on growth performance (weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio), apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and egg production and quality were determined. All data collected were subjected to two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA);  significant  means  were  separated  by  using  Duncan’s  Multiple  Range  Test  at (P<0.05). Growth performance results showed no (P>0.05) effect on Japanese quails neither were their interactions. The digestibility results showed that the dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre,  ether  extract,  ash,  and    nitrogen  free  extract  digestibility  were  significantly  affected (p<0.05) by both dietary protein and energy treatments. Egg production parameters were not influenced (P>0.05) by varying dietary protein and energy levels. However, the external characteristics were influenced (P<0.05). The results showed that birds on low protein of 22 % CP and energy of 2600 Kcal ME/kg had better external characteristics, egg length (2.67 cm), egg width (2.18 cm) and egg shape index (0.82). On the internal parameters, birds on 2800 Kcal ME/kg had better yolk weight (2.21g), albumen weight (4.80 g), yolk height (0.70 cm), albumen height (0.79 cm) and yolk index (0.40). Interaction results showed that different dietary protein and energy treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on all the growth and egg production performance parameters measured. Birds on high 26 % CP level and low energy of 2600 Kcal ME/kg had better crude fibre, ether extract and ash results. Internal egg interaction results showed that birds on low energy 2600 and 2800 kcal and medium CP levels of 22 and 24 % had better egg length, egg width and egg shape index. Similarly, birds on low protein – low energy (22 % CP & 2800 kcal) had better internal egg yolk weight, yolk height, yolk diameter and yolk index interaction results. It was concluded that for improved nutrient digestibility, low protein 22 % CP with low energy 2600 kcal is recommended. However, for improved external and internal egg characteristics a range of 20 – 22 % CP and 2600 – 2800 kcal energy is recommended

CHAPTER ONE

1.0        INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

The world population is growing at an alarming rate. According to population reference bureau (PRB) projects population will more than double to 2.6 billion by 2050 and will account for about 58 percent of the global population increase by that date. With this population, there has been increased concern over dietary protein supply, particularly in addressing malnutrition and undernourishment in the world (Jaka et al., 2018). If there is to be progress in food security then effort must be placed on identification of alternative food resources that can meet to pace of the population growth (Rosen et al., 2016). The incorporation of game birds has been recommended, particularly for developing countries (Geldenhuys et al., 2013). The existence of a diversity of fowl species producing meat and eggs may provide a wide array of nutrient constituents (Geldenhuys et al., 2013; Chepkemoi et al., 2016). Identification and promotion of alternative poultry egg sources may also boost egg supply and contribute to an enhanced nutrient provision in human diets (Geldenhuys et al.,2013). Furthermore, the variation in egg quality and taste among poultry species may also provide consumers with a wider selection pool for choice eggs. One of the game birds that has these characteristics is quail.

Quail has attained economic importance as an agricultural species producing eggs and meat that are enjoyed for their unique flavor. They have low maintenance cost because of their small body size (80-300 g), short generation interval having three to four generations in a year.  Quail birds are  resistance  to  diseases  and  they  have  high  egg  production,  thus  they  are  an  excellent laboratory animal. However, the nutritional requirement of this bird in the tropics have not been well established. Studies has shown that the nutrient of birds varies from species to species and from one location to another. Presently, in Nigeria, the diets fed to quail are mostly based on 24 and 20 % of crude protein for rearing and production, respectively, as recommended by NRC (1994). Furthermore, Babatunde et al. (2016) indicated that a diet of 26 % crude protein and 3200 kcal metabolizable energy/kg is suitable for optimum performance of Japanese quail in terms of weight gain, however, these authors did not obtain the requirement for laying.  There are also variations in the dietary crude protein and energy recommendations for quails.

Woodard et al. (1973) reported that quail can be raised on turkey starter diets containing 25 – 28% crude protein while Lee et al. (1977) on the other hand indicated that dietary crude protein level of 24 % is needed in starter diet for quail and the protein content may be reduced to 20 % by 3rd week of age. Nwokedi et al. (2010) observed that when four crude protein levels of 20, 22, 24 and 26% were evaluated for Japanese quails, birds on 20 % crude protein level resulted in best performance from 1 to 42 days of age.  Murakami et al. (1993a) discovered that 18% crude protein was adequate at the laying phase this is, however, lower than the 20% recommended by NRC (1994) and 22.42% recommended by Pinto et al. (1998).

Energy though not a nutrient, however, it must be adequately supplied by the diet to make efficient use of dietary protein. It has been reported that most birds eat to satisfy their energy requirement, thus, Babatunde et al. (2016) reported that production results are determined not by protein amount, but first of all by energy to protein ratio. Report on Reda et al. (2015) indicated that crude protein and energy levels of 22 % and 2900 kcal ME/kg, respectively, as adequate during the first few weeks of growth. While Jahanian and Edriss (2015) reported CP and energy levels of 26 % and 3000 kcal ME/kg, respectively, for the same period.

For the review above, that there are variations in the Japanese quail requirements for energy and protein. The variation might be attributed to region (climatic), breed of quails, time of rearing among others. Furthermore, the optimal dietary energy and protein at different phases were not well established. This study will therefore, determine the effect of four different energy (2600, 2800, 3000 and 3200 Kcal) and four dietary protein levels of 20, 22, 24 and 26 % on the performance and egg characteristics of Japanese quail raised under intensive management system in Nigeria (a tropical country).

1.2 Statement of Research Problem

There is growing demands for animal protein to meet the growing population of the world. One of the fastest growing poultry birds is quail. Although the nutrient requirements of Japanese quail have been documented to a greater extent in some regions (Ayasan and Okan, 2006); however, it has not been well documented in the tropics. There are variations in both the dietary crude protein and energy reports (Nwokedi et al., 2010; Reda et al., 2015; Jahanian and Edriss, 2015).

1.3 Justification

Adequate energy must be supplied by the diet to make efficient use of dietary protein. It has been discovered that production results are determined not by protein amount, but first of all by energy to protein ratio (Babatunde et al., 2006). Alaganawy et al. (2014) reported that adequate amino acid balance is the most important nutrient for Japanese quails, while Reda et al. (2015) reported crude protein and energy levels of 22% and 2900 kcal ME/kg, respectively, as adequate during the first few weeks of growth. Jahanian and Edriss (2015) reported CP and energy levels of 26% and 3000 kcal ME/kg respectively, for the same period. Japanese quail requirements for energy and protein in Nigeria (a tropical country) as well as the efficiency of feed utilization are still poorly documented. Adequate energy must be supplied by the diet to make efficient use of dietary protein. It has been discovered that production results are determined not by protein amount, but first of all by energy to protein ratio (Zofia et al., 2006). Alaganawy et al. (2014) reported that adequate amino acid balance is the most important nutrient for Japanese quails, while Reda et al. (2015) reported crude protein and energy levels of 22% and 2900 kcal ME/kg, respectively, as adequate during the first few weeks of growth. Jahanian and Edriss (2015) reported CP and energy levels of 26% and 3000 kcal ME/kg respectively, for the same period. Japanese quail requirements for energy and protein in Nigeria (a tropical country) as well as the efficiency of feed utilization are still poorly documented.

Quail has attained economic importance as an agricultural species producing eggs and meat that are enjoyed for their unique flavour. They have low maintenance cost because of their small body size (80-300 g), short generation interval having three to four generations in a year.  Quail birds are resistant to diseases and they have high egg production. This bird can help bridge the gap in the animal protein intake.

There are variations in the nutrient requirements reported for this bird, thus, determining the optimal dietary protein, energy and their interaction on the productivity of Japanese quail is the justification for this work.

1.4  Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of feeding different dietary protein and energy levels to achieve optimum growth performance and egg production in Japanese quails.

1.5  Objectives

The objectives  of  this  research  project  work  were  to  determine  the  effect  of  feeding diets containing different levels of metabolizable energy and crude protein (CP) on :

1.   Growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility and carcass traits of Japanese quails.

2.   Laying performance and quality characteristics of Japanese quails.

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