Effect of feed particle size on growth and egg-laying parameters of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

In Côte d’Ivoire, the quail breeding is confronted with the lack of food specific to the species. Thus, in the south-east of this country, an experimental study was conducted at the ISMOREL farm in the sub-prefecture of Adiaké. This study, which aims to improve the productivity of day-to-day farms, focused on the grain size of the feed. From grower (GD) and layer (LD) diets, 5 experimental diets have been manufactured. There are: LD 5 with a particle size of 5 mm, LD 3 and GD 3 with a particle size of 3 mm as well as LD 2 and GD 2 with a particle size of 2 mm. The growth parameters related to 750 two-week-old unsexed subjects weighing 49.67 ± 0.17 g on average. For egg-laying, 300 female quails were used at 6-week-old. The results showed an influence of the 2 mm grain size (LD 2 and GD 2) on parameters such as feed intake (186.96 ± 4.73 g and 153.46 ± 5.33 g), average live weight (142.37 ± 1.76 g and 155.85 ± 1.85 g), the average daily gain (4.29 ± 1.22 g/d and 4.74 ± 1.25 g/d), the age of first egg laid (49.33 ± 0.58 d and 46.33 ± 1.26 d) and egg-laying rate (67.24 ± 30.97% and 74.12 ± 34.03%). At the end of this study, it appears that the 2 mm particle size induces better growth and egg-laying performance in Japanese quail.