The objective of this study was to determine the apparent and true digestibility coefficients and relative bioavailability of charru mussel, maçunim (Anomalocardia brasiliana) and oyster shells as organic calcium sources for meat quail. In the digestibility trial, 240 quail were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with five diets (calcitic limestone, calcium carbonate and three marine calcium sources), five replicates and eight quails per experimental unit. The relative bioavailability of calcium was determined by the standard-curve and slope ratio methods in a growth trial in which 288 European quail were distributed in completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of basal diet with a low calcium concentration (0.166%) that was supplemented with two levels of calcium (0.342% and 0.684%) derived from different calcium sources. The apparent and true digestibility coefficients of calcium from charru mussel-, maçunim- and oyster-shell meals for meat quail were 91.85 and 92.04%; 91.71 and 91.90%; and 89.39 and 89.63%, respectively. The relative bioavailability of calcium from charru mussel-, maçunim- and oyster-shell meals obtained using standard-curve and slope ratio methods were 133.22 and 119.18%; 140.05 and 113.69%; and 141.73 and 106.22%, respectively, allowing the use of these organic calcium sources in diet formulations for meat quail.

Na coturnicultura, a alimentação é o fator que mais onera os custos da criação. Deste modo, estudos com alimentos alternativos, ao milho e farelo de soja, tem crescido consideravelmente. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar diferentes níveis do resíduo da polpa de maracujá (RPM) na alimentação de codornas fêmeas sobre características de carcaça aos 35 dias de idade. O experimento foi realizado no setor de coturnicultura do CECA-UFAL. Foram utilizadas 225 codornas europeias, em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos (0,0%; 3,0%; 6,0%; 9,0% e 12,0% de inclusão do RPM), cinco repetições e nove aves por unidade experimental. Aos 35 dias de idade, após jejum de seis horas, duas aves, com peso médio de cada unidade experimental foram abatidas, depenadas e evisceradas para os procedimentos de análises. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: pesos absolutos e relativos de carcaça, cortes nobres (peito e pernas) e vísceras comestíveis (coração, fígado e moela). Houve efeito significativo (p<0,05), apenas para peso absoluto (g) e relativo (%) do peito. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, é possível a inclusão do RPM, em até 12%, sem comprometer as características de carcaça, corte nobres e vísceras comestíveis, de codornas fêmeas aos 35 dias de idade.

The inclusion of the waste in meat-quail diets is an alternative to its improper disposal. The waste exhibited nutritional potential due to high nutrient values. Passion fruit pulp waste can be included at up to 12% in the diet of meat quail.

Diets with 21% crude protein are recommended for European quail aged one to 35 days. Amino acid supplementation is essential for the maintenance of quail performance. Diets with reduced crude protein contents reduce the pollution potential of wastes.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the nutritional composition and effect of different levels of inclusion of wafer-type biscuit waste (WW) in the diet of European quail on production performance, carcass yield and economic viability. In the metabolizability trial, WW showed 87.45% DM, 4,128.53 kcal/kg GE, 3,833.14 kcal/kg AME, 3,818.92 kcal/kg AMEn, 9.37% CP and 17% EE. The metabolizability coefficients of DM, GE, EE and CP were 93.20, 92.85, 93.01 and 47.16%, respectively. In the performance trial, feed intake decreased linearly (P<0.05) from 22 to 42 and from one to 42 days of age. Weight gain and feed conversion were not influenced (P>0.05) by WW inclusion. The WW inclusion levels did not influence (P>0.05) carcass yield. The diet with 20% inclusion of WW provided the best financial return. Wafer-type biscuit waste can be included up to the level of 20% in quail diets without compromising production performance, carcass yield or the economic viability of the activity.

Objetivou-se avaliar a inclusão do resíduo de polpa de goiaba em dietas de codornas de corte sobre o desempenho produtivo, rendimento de carcaça, e viabilidade econômica, aos 42 dias de idade. Foram utilizadas 250 codornas europeias, não sexadas, de um dia de idade, distribuídas em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com cinco níveis de inclusão (0,0; 3,0; 6,0; 9,0 e 12,0%) de resíduo de goiaba, com cinco repetições e 10 aves por unidade experimental. As variáveis avaliadas durante o período experimental foram: consumo de ração (CR), ganho de peso (GP) e conversão alimentar (CA), rendimento de carcaça, de cortes e visceras. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (P>0,05) para o ganho de peso, o consumo de ração e conversão alimentar das aves durante o período de um a 42 dias de idade. Os pesos absolutos e os rendimentos de carcaça, cortes nobres (peito, coxa e sobrecoxa), vísceras comestíveis e gordura abdominal das aves não foram influenciados (P>0,05) pelos níveis de inclusão do resíduo de polpa de goiaba às dietas. O resíduo de polpa de goiaba pode ser utilizado como ingrediente alternativo nas dietas de codornas europeias, até o nível de 3% de inclusão, sem comprometer o desempenho produtivo, o rendimento de carcaça das aves e a viabilidade econômica.

This study was developed to examine the effect of using charru mussel-, maçunim- and oyster-shell meals as calcium sources on the productive performance, carcass yield and bone parameters of meat quail. A total of 250 one-day-old non-sexed European quail were used. The birds were distributed into five treatments (calcium sources: calcitic lime, calcium carbonate, charru mussel shell meal, maçunim shell meal or oyster shell meal) in a completely randomized design with five replicates and ten birds per experimental unit. Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion were evaluated from one to 35 days. At 35 days, two birds with the average weight of the plot were slaughtered per plot and used for analysis of carcass yield and bone parameters. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield or tibia dry matter content, ash content and strength. The charru mussel-, maçunim- and oyster-shell meals can be used as calcium sources in the diet of European quail without affecting their productive performance, carcass yield or bone mineralization.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of 50% broken rice (BR) in diets for meat quail from 1 to 35 days old, starting at different ages. A total of 875 mixed quail were allocated to five treatments in a completely randomized design with five replicates of 35 birds. The treatments consisted of a maize- and soybean meal-based control diet and four other similar diets in which the inclusion of 50% BR was started at different ages, namely, 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd days. Feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion and mortality rate were evaluated weekly. At 35 days, 10 quail per plot were weighed and selected to be slaughtered for evaluations of live weight, carcass yield and gizzard yield. Lastly, a study of economic viability was carried out. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was detected for the performance parameters, live weight or carcass yield, but a higher gizzard yield was found (p < 0.05) in the treatment without BR. The inclusion of BR from the first day of life provided better economic viability. Diets with a maximum inclusion of 50% BR can be formulated for meat quail at any age.