BIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF GROWING JAPANESE QUAIL AS AFFECTED BY SlOCKING DENSITY AND DIETARY PROTEIN LEVEL | ||
| Journal of Animal and Poultry Production | ||
| Article 6, Volume 29, Issue 2, February 2004, Pages 623-638 PDF (2.04 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jappmu.2004.239008 | ||
| Authors | ||
| A. A. Askar,1; I. M. M. Assaf2 | ||
| 1Poultry Department, Fac. of Agric., Zaqaziq Univ., Zagazig, Egypt. | ||
| 2Agriculture research Center, Anim. Prod. Res. Inst., Dokki, Giza, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| To investigate the effect of stocking de-isity and dietary protein level on the biological periormance of Japanese quails, a total number of 540 unsexed seven days-old of Japanese quail chicks were ranc omly distributed into 3x3 factorial arrangement, which contained three stocking donsities (15; 20 and 25 bird/m2) with three dietary protein levels (21; 23 and 25 % CP "or the starter period and 18; 20 and 22 ''/ CP for the growing period). Obtained re sults showed that crowding affected negatively (P<0.05 or 0.01) growth traits. Growi 19 quails reared in 20 birds 1m2 and fed the high level of crude protein showed the higt-est live body weight (111.3 g.), and body weight gain (93.4 g.) at 4 weeks and 1-4 weeks, respectively, but, they failed thereafter. Meanwhile, birds reared in the lowest density and fed any studied levels of dietary protein showed the highest growth traits ouring the different growing periods. Quails reared in 25 birds/m2 recorded the lowes values of feed consumption at 4-7 weeks (P<0.01) and 1-7 weeks (P<0.05). Stocking density didn't show any significant effect on feed conversion during all stages of grovling period. Birds fed the high level of protein had the highest values of feed consurnpion or feed conversion (P<0.05) at 4-7 weeks. The interaction effect (stocking density with protein level) was significant (P<0.05) on feed conversion through 1-4 or 4-7 weeks only. Birds reared in 20 birds 1m2 and fed high or low crude protein showed the lowest values of feed conversion through 1-4 weeks or 4-7 weeks, respectively. In general, group of 15 birds/rn" recorded higher values of plasma total protein and its fractions or NG ratio either in males or females. Total protein and albumin significantly (P<0.05) increased as dietary protein level increases in both sexes. Plasma of female birds had higher values of total protein and its fractions or NG ratio except plasma globulin, which was in lower values versus to those of males. No significant differences in total protein and its fractions or NG ratio were observed due to the interaction effect in both sexes. Group 0' birds fed high protein level in the high density had higher values of cholesterol In both sexes. Although, the differences in this trait due to the interaction effects were signifll:'lnt (P<0.01) only in male birds In both sexes, GOT activity was Significantly (P<O.01) increased or decreased as stocking density or dietary protein level increasec', respectively. Female birds of Japanese quails recorded slightly higher or nearly similar values of GOT and GPT enzymes activity as compared with those of rna Ie birds. Packed cell volume percentage (PCV%) was significantly (P<0.01) increased with the decreasing or increasing stocking density and protein level, respectively either in male or female, however, the interaction effect was insignificant. Values of PCV% in male birds were higher than those of female. Edible parts Weight was significantly (P<0.05 or 0.01) increased with decreasing stocking density and increasing protein level except heart weight in both sexes and gizzard in males. Groups of 15 birds/rrr', which fed the higher level of protein, were accompanied by the highest weight of the edible parts (P<0.05 or 0 01). Female edible parts weight were heavier than those of males, except, the heart weight. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Quail; biological periormance; stocking de tsity; dietary protein | ||
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