Effect of Dietary Protein Level on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Japanese Quail Reared in Sudan

Abstract

The current study was conducted to determine the optimum level of dietary protein for the best performance and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail from (3-6 wks). Two hundred and forty (240) unsexed dark brownish colored Japanese quails were used in this experiment. Treatments consisted of 3 isocaloric diets (2900 kcal/kg) metabolizable energy (ME) contained different levels of crude protein (CP) 22, 24 and 26%. Quails were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups and each group was then subdivided into 4 replicates of 20 quails each. Feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded weekly. The results showed that, the group fed on 26% protein had the significant (P < 0.05) highest BWG and lowest FCR in the period 3 - 6 wks, but FI was not significantly different between groups. On the contrary, the quail's performance parameters in the period from 3-8 wks was not affected by the dietary protein level. There were no significant differences (P < 0.05) observed in breast, drum stick, legs and wings as percentage of live body weight. From these results it can be suggested that, the diet at 26% CP could be recommended for Japanese quail during the period 3- 6 wks to obtain the best performance. The carried out sensory test showed that quails are more delicious than chicken.