Response of Japanese Breeder Quails to Varying Dietary Protein Levels in the Tropics

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-54
Author(s):  
G. S. Bawa ◽  
L. H. Lombin ◽  
P. Musa ◽  
U. Payi ◽  
D. Shamaki

A three months feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of feeding varying levels of dietary protein on productive performance, egg quality characteristics and hatchability using 930 six weeks breeders quails. The birds were randomly divided into five dietary treatment groups of 186 birds, and were further replicated three times with 62 birds (50 females, 12 males) per replicate. They were fed five experimental diets containing either 18, 20, 22, 24 or 26% CP. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The results obtained did not show significant effect (P>0.05) on final live weight, % change in body weight, feed conversion ratio, cost per dozen or crate of egg produced, hen-day-production, hen-housed production and peak egg production across the dietary treatments. However, significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for feed intake, age at peak production, egg weight and percent mortality across the dietary treatments. Dietary protein levels had no significant (P>0.05) effects on Haugh unit, egg shape index, percent egg shell, egg shell index, egg specific gravity and egg shell thickness. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed across dietary treatments for % hatchability, fertility and chick weight at hatch. Chick weight at day-old increased with increase in the level of dietary protein. It was concluded that dietary protein level of 22%CP is required for optimum production, egg quality characteristics and reproductive performance of breeder quails in the tropics

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
A. C. Esiegwu ◽  
O. O. Emenalom ◽  
G. E. Enyenihi ◽  
I. C. Okoli ◽  
A. B. I. Udedibie

Effects of dietary Garcinia kola meal (bitter kola) on the performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens were investigated. Four layers diets were made such that diet T0 (control) contained no Garcinia kola meal while diets T2.5, T5.0 and T7.5 contained 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% Garcinia kola meal, respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 laying hens at 30 weeks of laying life for 84 days, using completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was further sub-divided into three replicates of 10 hens each. The layers on T2.5 and T5.0 diets added significantly (P < 0.05) less body weight than those on T0 and T7.5 diets. There were no significant differences in their feed intake (P > 0.05). T2.5 significantly (P < 0.05) depressed hen-day egg production but enhanced egg weight. Feed conversion ratio (g feed/ g egg) was not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Egg quality indices (egg shape index, egg specific gravity, Haugh unit, egg shell thickness, albumen index and yolk index) were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Egg shell index was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by Garcinia kola meal. At 2.5% level, it significantly enhanced percent albumin and reduced percent yolk (P<0.05). Cost of egg production (N/kg eggs) was adversely increased as the level of Garcinia kola meal increased.


1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. PROUDFOOT ◽  
H. W. HULAN ◽  
K. B. McRAE

A factorial experiment was conducted with 3030 chickens of four maternal dwarf genotypes mated with normal males to estimate the effects of age at a photoperiod change from 8 to 12 h (daily) at 140 or 154 days, and two levels of dietary protein (15 or 17%) on general performance, incidence of Fatty Liver Syndrome and monetary returns. Three of the four maternal genotypes performed similarly for most traits measured but one genotype exhibited better feed efficency of egg production, produced more eggs and, although the eggs were smaller resulted in the highest monetary returns. Delaying the increase in photoperiod change retarded sexual maturity and reduced egg weight at 203 days and egg specific gravity at 406 days. The 17% protein diet improved egg production (including hatching eggs), feed efficiency of egg production, egg weights; and female body weights at 154 and 446 days of age were also heavier. Dietary protein levels had no effect on mortality (P > 0.05). Mean monetary returns from the sale of table eggs, hatching eggs and salvage meat in excess of the costs of day-old breeder stock and feed, averaged $1.07 more per bird fed the 17% diet. The progeny test revealed significant differences among genotypes for male mortality, male and female body weights, and feed conversion; however, monetary returns over feed and chick cost were similar. The time of change in photoperiod and dietary treatments had no significant effect on the overall performance of broiler progeny but there was a genotype × parental diet interaction for 43 day female body weights. Key words: Dwarfs, meat breeders, hens, broilers, photoperiods, diets


1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M.G. Hamilton

Two experiments examined the effect on the performance of Leghorn hens given diets containing flame-roasted grains from 140 to 490 d of age. In exp. 1, the inclusion of barley, corn and wheat roasted at 121, 119 and 149 °C, respectively, had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on productive performance. Experiment 2 contained a factorial arrangement of treatments that involved two sources of dietary barley (non-roasted or flame-roasted at 154 °C), two methods of milling (hammer or roller) and two dietary protein levels (15 or 18%). Hens given the diets that contained roasted barley had lower (P < 0.01–0.001) 490-d body weights, egg production, early egg weight (196 d) and number of extra large sized eggs, and higher (P < 0.05–0.01) feed conversion, monetary returns, interior egg quality and number of medium sized and grades B and C eggs than those fed the non-roasted barley control diet. Mortality, the number of large-sized eggs and egg weights, feed conversion and the occurrence of blood spots were higher (P < 0.05–0.001) while the number of medium-sized eggs was lower (P < 0.05–0.001) when the hens were fed roller compared with hammer-milled grains. Hens given the 18% protein-containing diets had higher (P < 0.05–0.01) 490 d body weight, egg production, monetary returns and numbers of small sized and grades B and C eggs, but lower (P < 0.05) mortality than those receiving the diets that contained 15% protein. Key words: Flame roasting, dietary grains, Leghorn hens


Author(s):  
Zeynep Yardım ◽  
Mustafa Akşit

This study was carried out to determine the effects of two different cage systems (enriched and conventional) and low and high stocking densities on performance, egg quality and egg shell microorganisms. In study, two different genotypes were used to native (Atak-S) and foreign (Lohmann) hens occurred of 864 hens used. As the cage system, the battery type was used in the conventional system and the enriched cage type was used in the alternative system. The results indicated that genotype and cage system significantly affected egg production and egg mass in the laying period (18-76 weeks). It was determined that Lohmann genotype and conventional cages had significantly higher egg production and egg mass in this period. It was seen that hens consumed significantly higher feed in enriched cages than in conventional cages, and were significantly better feed conversion ratio in low stocking density compared to high stocking density. The effects of genotype and cages system on the quality characteristics of eggs were found to be significant, and it was determined quality characteristics of Lohmann eggs were better (especially eggshell quality. In addition, it was understood that the internal quality of the eggs in the conventional cages and the external quality characteristics of the eggs in the enriched system were positively affected. The total numbers of microorganisms were determined to be higher on shell of eggs from enriched cages than conventional cages. The total numbers of microorganisms were higher in enriched cage eggs compared to conventional cage eggs. However, stocking density was not a significant effect on the microbial load of the eggshell.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
MSA Bhuiyan ◽  
DS Mostary ◽  
MS Ali ◽  
MM Hussain ◽  
AJM Ferdaus

The present study was conducted to know the production and reproduction potentials, and egg quality characteristics of Nageswari duck under intensive management condition. Data were collected from a nucleus flock of Nageswari ducks that have been maintained from day old to 72 weeks of age at AI center, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from May 2015 to October 2016. Irrespective of sex, the average live weight of ducklings at day old, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7thand 9thweeks of age were observed to be 38.85±1.40, 99.06±2.93, 373.29±8.73, 650.31±11.26, 867.74±11.79 and 1076.11±16.34 g, respectively. There was a steady increasing trend observed in live weights for both drakes and ducks from 17thto 72 weeks of age. The average age of sexual maturity and weight were found 130±1.83 days and 1400.84±12.68g respectively. The average egg weight and annual egg production were 58.20±1.50g and 204.23±14.19 no’s, respectively. Hen day egg production was found 55.67±2.74% while the peak production was observed at 26th week of age. The estimated mean egg mass production (g/b/day), feed intake(g) during laying, feed conversion efficiency and performance efficiency index of Nageswari duck were 32.40±2.29, 154.85±2.27, 4.63±0.21 and 20.92±1.37, respectively in Nageswari duck. The external egg quality characteristics like shape index, egg breaking strength, shell thickness and membrane thickness were observed to be 74.59±0.61, 2.00±0.03 kg/cm2, 3.99±0.06 mm and 0.50 ± 0.02 mm respectively whereas, internal quality attributes such as albumen index, yolk index, yolk color score and Haugh unit were 8.89±0.29, 34.36±0.61, 8.42±0.28 and 86.29±1.06, respectively. In conclusion, the studied parameters of Nageswari duck provided some breed specific baseline information and year round actual production potentials of this genetic resource under intensive management condition that could be utilized for future conservation and breeding programs in Bangladesh.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (3): 198-205


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-160
Author(s):  
G. S Bawa ◽  
L. H. Lombin ◽  
D. Shamaki ◽  
P. Karsin ◽  
U. Musa

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of varying dietary levels of protein on performance of Japanese quail chicks. Six iso-caloric (2953-3078 kcal/kg, ME) diets were formulated to contain crude protein (CP) at 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28% levels, respectively. Each of the dietary treatment was replicated three times with sixty (60) quail chicks per replicate. A total of 1080 day-old unsexed quail chicks were used for the study and distributed using completely randomized design. The experiment lasted 42 days during which data were collected. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein intake differ significantly (P<0.05) due to dietary treatments. Final live weight and cost per gain were not significantly (P>0.05) different across dietary treatments. Age at first egg and average weight of eggs at point of lay differed significantly (P<0.05) across dietary treatments. The haematological parameters (Total protein, haemoglobin, albumen and red blood cell) were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary protein levels. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, prime cuts and the weight of major organs expressed as percentage of the live weight were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. It was concluded that Japanese quail chicks required up to 26% level of dietary protein for optimum performance. 


1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 437-445
Author(s):  
Tuomo Kiiskinen ◽  
Hilkka Hakatie

Two factorial trials, each including three commercial laying hybrids, were conducted to study the effects of a short laying rest on postrest performance of hens and on egg quality. A total of 1800 hens laying at 65% on an average (70 wks of age) were subjected to one of the following treatments: no rest (control, C) or feeding only whole-grain barley (WB) or fasting (F, Trial 1 only) until the rate oflay dropped to 0%, after which the birds were returned to the previous all-mash diet. The second laying period was six months. Egg production of the WB and F hens ceased within one week on an average and the birds were out of production for 10 days. Laying intensity during the second production period did not differ significantly between the treatments in each trial, but egg weight and daily egg mass production increased as a result of the rest treatments. The laying rest procedures reduced feed intake, improved feed efficiency and increased live weight significantly. Egg shell and albumen quality traits were significantly better in the laying rest groups than in the controls. Significant differences in performance and egg quality between the hybrids were mainly ascertained in Trial 2. The results suggest that a short laying rest is a feasible means of improving egg quality towards the end of the laying period. It can be accomplished successfully by feeding whole-grain barley.


2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 779 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Balnave ◽  
R. J. Gill ◽  
X. Li ◽  
W. L. Bryden

IsaBrown pullets were obtained from a commercial breeder at 15 (Expt 1) and 16 (Expt 2) weeks of age and housed in either single-bird or multiple 5-bird cages in a high rise, windowless layer house in which temperatures were maintained below 30˚C by computerised control of fans and evaporative cooling pads. In Expt 1, they were fed either a grower diet or a pre-layer diet consisting of the grower diet containing additional calcium to 18 weeks of age and then maintained during lay to 56 weeks of age on diets containing either 160 or 180 g crude protein (CP)/kg. In Expt 2, they were fed the grower diet to 19 weeks of age and then 1 of 5 diets similar in all ingredients except that the lysine concentration varied between 7.35 and 8.95 g/kg in increments of 0.4 g/kg. The L-lysine HCl supplements were added in lieu of solka floc, an inert cellulose supplement. In Expt 1, mortality was low (2.25%), peak egg production was high (95–98%), and the mean rate of lay at 56 weeks of age was above 88%. The diet fed prior to lay had no significant effect on production during lay. Feed intake and egg production were similar for hens fed both dietary protein levels during lay, and egg weight and egg mass output were greater for hens fed the diet containing 180 g CP/kg. Hens in multiple-bird cages ate significantlyless feed for a significantly smaller daily egg mass output. In Expt 2, increasing the dietary lysine concentration significantly reduced feed intake and significantly increased lysine intake, egg shell breaking strength, and albumen height. Multiple-caged hens had a significantly lower hen-housed egg production as a result of a 7-fold increase in mortality compared with hens in single cages, due mainly to cannibalism. The daily lysine requirement formaximum egg production approximated 940 mg for hens in single cages and 975 mg for hens in multiple-bird cages.


2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 224-232
Author(s):  
O. M. Agunbiade ◽  
P. A. Onimisi ◽  
J. J. Omage

Sorghum is the primary alternative feedstuff for corn in some developed countries in the production of poultry. Thus, four hundred and fifty 32 weeks old Lohmann Brown laying hens were used in a study to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with sorghum with or without enzymes supplementation, on egg laying performance and egg quality characteristics of laying hens. Birds were distributed randomly into six dietary treatments with three replicates per treatment, each replicate had 25 birds with uniform initial group weights. The treatments included maize without enzymes (T1); sorghum without enzymes (T2); as controls respectively, while T3, T4, T5, and T6 contained sorghum based diets with phytase, protease, G2G, and a combination of protease and G2G respectively. Laying performance, cost of production, and egg quality characteristics were determined for the period of the trial, 33-56 weeks of age of the birds. All data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, using the completely randomized design (CRD) and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Tukey test. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed among dietary treatments but with no defined trend observed for egg production traits. Daily feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in maize control diet compared to the other treatments. Diets supplemented with phytase (T3), protease (14), and combination of protease and roxazyme G2G (T6) had significantly (p<0.05) better feed conversion ratio with T3 having the lowest value of 4.01 compared to the other treatments. For feed cost/dozen egg (N), Kg feed/dozen eggs, income above feed cost at N30 per egg, and income above control treatment; phytase (T3), protease (T4), roxazyme 626 (T5), and protease + roxacyme G2G (T6) diets in this study showed better performance than the control. Sorghum diet without enzyme had significantly (p<0.05) least performance for egg number. Hen housed egg production (HHP) and hen day egg production (HDP) compared to the other treatments while sorghum diet with phytase had the highest value (60.12g/day) for average egg weight compared to the other treatments. Egg quality characteristics showed the best performance for dietary treatments supplemented with phytase (T3) in all the other parameters considered, apart from the albumen height, yolk diameter, and yolk index. It was concluded therefore, that sorghum with phytase and protease supplementations can be used in layers' diets as a substitute for maize for optimum egg production.


Author(s):  
İsmail Türker ◽  
Sezai Alkan ◽  
Serpil Akçay

This research was carried out under producer conditions to determine the appropriate hen material to be used in the free range laying system. For this purpose, the foreign brown commercial layer genotype which coded YB and native brown egg layer Atak-S genotype was compared in terms of yield and egg quality characteristics. This study included 150 hens from each genotype and a total of 300 chickens were used. Each genotype divided into three groups among themselves and 50 hens were raised each group. In the poultry house with deep-litter ground system, 5 chickens were raised in the unit area (m2) and, 4 m2 grazing area was allocated per each hen in the grazing area. The pullets that hatched on the same day were obtained from a commercial firm at 16 weeks of age. The study was carried out until 80 weeks of age. Egg yield and egg quality characteristics were determined during this period. There was no difference between the genotypes in terms of 50% egg yield age, egg weight, hen-day egg yield, hen-house egg yield, viability, albumen index, yolk index, haugh unit and yolk color. In contrast, the difference between the genotypes was found to be important in terms of body weight at weeks of 18th and 80th age, feed consumption, feed conversation ratio, shape index, shell thickness, density, meat-blood spot ratio and egg shell color. In this study, genotypes were not superior to each other in terms of all traits. However, as a result of the economic analyzes made in consideration of market conditions and observations made in terms of animal sensitivities, it was concluded that the Atak-S genotype was more suitable for free-range egg production system.


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