Growth performance and egg production of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets containing graded levels of sun-dried cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel meal

Abstract

A two-phase research project was carried out to determine the growth performance and egg production of Japanese quails fed diets containing graded levels of sun-dried cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel meal (SCPM). A total of 360 two-week-old Japanese quails of mixed sexes with average initial weight of 32.09 ± 0.02 g were used for the study. The birds were randomly allotted to four treatment groups, with each treatment replicated thrice having a total of 90 birds per treatment. SCPM replaced maize at 0, 25, 50 and 75 % levels to form diets A, B, C and D respectively and were fed to the birds for six weeks during the growing phase. In the laying phase, a total of 180 female Japanese quails were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments replicated thrice with 45 birds per treatment, and fed layers diets (with the same levels of maize replacement by SCPM as done in the growing phase) for six weeks. Results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatments in the growing phase. In the laying phase, there were significant (p<0.05) differences in daily feed intake, hen day production (HDP), FCR and egg quality traits. Hence, it was concluded that dietary maize could be replaced with SCPM up to 50 % for optimum growth performance; while 25 % SCPM level of replacement is adequate for optimum egg production at the laying phase.

Keywords: Growth performance, egg production, cassava peel, Japanese quail