PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND EGG QUALITIES OF JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix japonica) LAYERS FED DIETS WITH VARYING PROTEIN LEVELS SUPPLEMENTED WITH OR WITHOUT TURMERIC RHIZOME POWDER

Abstract

This experiment investigated the effects of varying crude protein levels (CPL) supplemented with or without Turmeric Rhizome Powder (TRP) on laying performance and egg quality of Japanese quails. A total of one hundred and ninety two 10-weeks-old laying Japanese quails were randomly distributed into six dietary treatment groups (3 x 2 experimental arrangement) with four replicates per group (8 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were: A (24%CP), B (21%CP), C (18%CP) without TRP while D, E and F contains 24%CP+0.5%TRP, 21%CP + 0.5%TRP and 18%CP + 0.5%TRP, respectively. Data were taken on productive performance, egg quality and egg proportions for 10 weeks. The main effect showed that quails on 24 and 21% CPL diet had elevated (P<0.05) hen egg day production (HDP). Feeding of quails with 18% CPL diet resulted in increased (P<0.05) feed cost /kg egg and revenue was higher (P<0.05) with the use of 21 and 24% CPL diet. The main effect shows that turmeric supplementation enhanced (P<0.05) yolk colour. The interactive effect showed that quails fed diets containing 24 and 21% CPL with or without TRP supplementation had increased (P<0.05) HDP. Feed cost/kg egg increased (P<0.05) for quails fed diet with 18% CPL diet with or without TRP supplementation. The revenue increased for quails fed 21% CPL diet with TRP supplementation. The feeding of diets containing 21 and 18% CPL with TRP supplementation resulted in enhanced (P<0.05) yolk colour (4.36 and 4.43) respectively. Egg proportions were not influenced (P>0.05) by CPL or TPL. It was concluded that TRP supplementation influenced HDP, increased revenue with 21% CPL diet and enhanced egg yolk colour.