Growth Performance, Digestibility, Carcass Traits and Some Blood Constituents of Japanese Quails as Affected by Supplement of Chromium in Growing Rations

Abstract

The present study aimed to the effects of chromium (Cr) supplementation with different levels on growth performance, digestibility nutrients, carcass characteristics, some blood constituents and economic efficiency of the growing Japanese quail. A total number of 450 one-day-old Japanese quail's chicks was used divided randomly into five experimental groups. Each group was distributed by 3 replicates pens containing (30 birds in each) until 6 weeks of age. The 1 st group fed the basal experimental diet without supplementation (as control), while the other groups were fed on diets supplemented with 200, 400, 800, and1200 µg chromium (Cr)/kg ration as chromium picolinate (Cr pic.), respectively. The results showed that the addition of chromium in the diets of growing Japanese quail resulted in an improvement (P<0.05) in body weight, and weight gain of group which received 1200 µg Cr/kg diet as compared to control one at the first three and six weeks of age. Moreover, at the same level addition of chromium in quail diets significantly (P≤0.05) improved the feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio and efficiency of energy utilization when compared with those fed unsupplemental diet, during the experimental periods (0-3 and 0-6 weeks of age). However, the addition up to 800 µg /kg of Cr in the diets improved significantly (P<0.05) the digestibility of organic matter and nitrogen free extract, while crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract digestibility were insignificantly affected. The results, also demonstrated that the abdominal fat decreased as the levels of chromium increased while, carcass percentage was increased. Serum total cholesterol, glucose were significantly (P<0.05) decreased by Cr supplementation. On the other hand total lipid, total tri-glycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL %) showed the inverse trend. The highest value of economic efficiency (EE) was obtained for quails fed on diets supplemented by Cr up to 800 µg /kg. The results from this study demonstrate that a supplementation up to 800 µg /kg of Cr in the ration improved the growth performance, digestibility, carcass characteristics and blood constituents of the growing Japanese quail.

Effect of Dried Alfalfa Meal and Chromium on the Performance of Inshas Layers.

“…Economical efficiency of chromium supplemented diets showed an improvement when compared with the control diet. Similar results were obtained by Ezzat et al (2006) reported that the highest value of economical efficiency was obtained for quails fed diet supplemented with chromium up to 800 µg Cr / Kg diet. In conclusion, using 5% alfalfa meal with 1200 or 1800 µg Cr/Kg diet were beneficial in egg production and reducing egg yolk and liver cholesterol contents, and increasing the economical return.…”

“…Similarly, El-Koteat et al (2008) found that egg yolk cholesterol and serum total lipids and cholesterol were significantly (P<0.05) decreased by Cr supplementation of laying hen diets. Also, Ezzat et al (2006) and El-Hommosany, (2008) demonstrated that supplementing the diets of quail and broiler with chromium is beneficial in reducing egg cholesterol.…”