Productive parameters and carcass composition of Coturnix coturnix japonica (Quail) fed Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) and Moringa oleifera (moringa)
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Abstract
Grains and concentrates are the basis of poultry feed, currently the use of multipurpose forage plants is encouraged to maintain productive efficiency. The study was conducted to determine the feed intake, daily and final weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass composition of Japanese quails supplemented with foliage meal of Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala, for which 270 quail chicks with average body weight of 19 ± 0.5 g were used. Chicks were randomly divided into three groups: Control (ACOM), Moringa (MO) and Leucaena (LEU), with six repetitions of 15 individuals per group. Individuals in each group had ad libitum water. Final body weight, daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass quality were evaluated. The data were analyzed using the Statistic v7.1 software under a completely randomized design and comparison of Tukey's means. The heaviest final body weight and highest feed consumption were observed in the ACOM group, followed by MO. The heaviest carcass and the lightest viscera corresponded to ACOM; But, the weight of the meat was similar in all treatments. Protein content, ether extract, ash, and pH were not modified by the diets containing foliage meal. Up to 50 % of foliage meal can be included in quail diets, reducing the consumption of concentrate feed, maintaining meat quality and increasing carcass yield.
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