GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica) FED TWO TYPES OF COMMERCIAL BROILER DIET

Abstract

Advances in Agriculture, Sciences and Engineering Research http://www.ejournal.sedinst.com ABSTRACT Performance was examined in Japanese quails bought at day old from National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Plateau State. They were reared at A.T.B.U poultry farm and were feed two commercial poultry diets (Feed A = 20 % CP and Feed B = 21 % CP at the starter phase and Feed A =18 % CP and Feed B = 19 % CP at finisher phase). The experiment lasted for seven weeks (49 days). Data on weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). These birds had an overall WG, FI and FCR of 126.16 ± 4.52 g, 138.62 ± 4.26 g and 1.13 ± 0.02 respectively. Birds significantly (P<0.05) gained more (1.09) with Feed B. Female quails significantly (P<0.001) gained more as reflected in their WG (153.78 g) and FCR (0.99). Generally, WG significantly (P<0.001) increased in a decreasing manner with age. Birds stated laying eggs at five weeks (35 days) old. There was no significant (P<0.001) difference in egg weight between the two diets with 8.68 g and 8.74 g mean egg weight for Feed A and Feed B respectively. In conclusion, Feed B can be used on quails to produce enough meat and eggs even at five weeks (35 days).

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Printed in Nigeria ISSN: 2276 - 6723
GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica) FED TWO TYPES
OF COMMERCIAL BROILER DIET.
1
Bulus, E.D.,
1
Aguda, A.Y.,
2
Ezekiel, J.,
1
Dodo, S.T. and Ibe, E.A.
1
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
2
Department of Agricultural Education, School of Vocational and Technical Education, Kaduna State College of
Education, Gidan Waya, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: ezzy1512@yahoo.co.uk
ABSTRACT
Performance was examined in Japanese quails bought at day old from National Veterinary
Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Plateau State. They were reared at A.T.B.U poultry farm
and were feed two commercial poultry diets (Feed A = 20 % CP and Feed B = 21 % CP at
the starter phase and Feed A =18 % CP and Feed B = 19 % CP at finisher phase). The
experiment lasted for seven weeks (49 days). Data on weight gain (WG), feed intake (FI)
and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). These
birds had an overall WG, FI and FCR of 126.16 ± 4.52 g, 138.62 ± 4.26 g and 1.13 ± 0.02
respectively. Birds significantly (P<0.05) gained more (1.09) with Feed B. Female quails
significantly (P<0.001) gained more as reflected in their WG (153.78 g) and FCR (0.99).
Generally, WG significantly (P<0.001) increased in a decreasing manner with age. Birds
stated laying eggs at five weeks (35 days) old. There was no significant (P<0.001)
difference in egg weight between the two diets with 8.68 g and 8.74 g mean egg weight for
Feed A and Feed B respectively. In conclusion, Feed B can be used on quails to produce
enough meat and eggs even at five weeks (35 days).
KEYWORDS: Feed, Japanese quail, Quails, Broiler starter, Broiler Finisher, Japanese
quail chicks.
INTRODUCTION
Many families in the tropics must assume a major role in production of their own foodstuffs. Incomes are so low
that purchase of food competes with purchase of necessary items that cannot be hand-made. Most governments
in the tropics do not have resources to guarantee even minimum food to all of their citizens. Families in rural
and urban situations often live in a minimum of space without soil that can be cultivated, or even a backyard in
which a few animal cages can be placed. Such person solely need small scale systems that are in harmony with
resources available. The small animals typically encountered on almost every small farm, chickens, ducks, geese
and rabbits, are still too large for many households. A small animal for a minimum sized system should produce
food in units that can be eaten at one meal so that refrigeration is not necessary. Furthermore, such systems
should use available resources to most families, including feeds that can be grown or purchased, cages that are
home-made and systems of sanitation that protect the health of the animals and the residents of the household
[1].
The significance of animal protein in sufficient and balanced nourishment is considerable for the human health
with respect to the physical and mental progress [2]. Meeting the demand, for animal protein requirement, calls
for intensified production of animals, with prolific tendency, short period of gestation, rapid growth and short
generation interval [3]. Japanese quails fall within this description and should therefore be looked upon as
animal of choice in increasing animal protein sources [4]. The Japanese quail is becoming more popular as a
source of meat and egg [5]. It is used for intensive egg and meat production mainly in Asia and Europe, but also
in America and the Middle East [6]. In addition, it is a well-established animal model in biology because of its
small body size, rapid generation turnover and high egg production [7].
Japanese quail can be reared on the floor or in specifically designed cages. Under the floor rearing system, the
roofing can be made of thatch or tiles, while the floor has to be made of cement or concrete flooring to facilitate

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easy cleaning and disinfecting. When Japanese quail are reared for table (meat) purposes, about 5 quail per
square foot area (floor space per bird: 180 cm
2
) can be raised. In a 10’ x 10’ (0.9 m
2
) room, about 500 Japanese
quail can be reared up to market age (5 weeks). Alternatively, two weeks rearing on the floor, followed by cage
rearing up to market age, can also be practised [8].
Japanese quail mature in about 6 weeks and are usually in full egg production by 50 days of age [9], they lay
their first eggs between the 5
th
and 6
th
week of age [1]. The meat of quail is lean and the egg is low in
cholesterol [10]. As also reported by [4] that “the meat of quail and the egg have low cholesterol, less fat and
high protein content and is a good quality meat for diabetic and high blood pressure patients hence, quail is of
public health importance [11]. They can therefore serve as source of fast and cheap animal protein for both rural
and urban dwellers. Therefore, multiplying these birds would readily make meat and eggs available for human
consumption with less risk of public health implications [12].
Japanese quail, Cotumix coturnix japonica, is a sub-species, of which the domesticated species is widely reared
throughout the countries of the world for meat and eggs. The Chinese and the Japanese cherish quail eggs. Many
countries are showing great interest in developing the production of Japanese quail for the meat and egg market
[8].
Therefore, encouraging Japanese quail production in Nigeria will not only augment the present deficient animal
protein intake, but will deepen and widen our understanding of these birds that are gaining popularity among
Nigerian farmers and in various laboratories [12]. Quails were introduced to Nigeria in 1992 by National
Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom [13].
On a commercial scale, quail raising has not attracted the interest of investors because there is lack of data with
regards to feeding [14]. The exact dietary requirements of the Japanese quail are still controversial. A standard
ration for either growing or breeding quail is not available commercially [9].
Since their introduction into the Nigerian poultry industry in 1992, they have gained tremendous interest among
Nigerian populace especially because of their short generation interval, fast growth rate, small space
requirement and less susceptibility to common poultry diseases [15].
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area/Experimental Site
The experiment was conducted at the poultry unit of the research farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University,
Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Bauchi is located in the North-eastern sub region of the country (Nigeria). It is on
latitude 10
0
17’ North and longitude 9
0
49’ east, at an altitude of 690.2 m above sea level. The weather in
Bauchi reveals that the rains start with a mean of about 15.5 mm in March and reaches peak in August (320.9
mm) and then declines to 0.54 mm by November. The hours of sunshine indicates highest visibility in February
(8.6h) and lowest in August (4.9h). Temperature could be as low as 6.11
0
C – 7.22
0
C around November and
December, while the hottest month is April with temperatures of 37.5
0
C as mean maximum and 13.8
0
C as
mean minimum temperatures. The mean relative humidity tends to reach 78.0 % at the peak of the rainy season
in August, while it drops to 20.5 % at the peak of the dry season in January. The vegetation is made up of open
savannah woodland with trees up to 6 m or more. The trees normally occur singly or in clusters, while the
spaces between are occupied by non woody species up to 3m high [16].
Management of Animals
Two hundred day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks were obtained from the Poultry
Department, National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State. The birds were brooded on
deep litter and then transferred to colony cages measuring 274 x 122 x 92 cm (L x B x H) at three (3) weeks.
Two cages, each partitioned into four units were used. Each unit contained 25 quail chicks. The cages were well
ventilated and housed in a room at the poultry unit of the research farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University,
Bauchi.
All chicks were weighed together in groups before being placed in the cages and all the birds in the cages were
weighed weekly. Two units of each cage were randomly allocated to an experimental diet. Feed and water were
given ad libitum.

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Two commercial poultry broiler feeds (Feed A and Feed B) were used as the experimental diets.
The experiment was conducted in two phases. Phase one covered the first four weeks during which period the
birds were fed the starter ration containing 20 % CP Feed A and 21 % CP Feed B accordingly. This is call the
starter phase. The second phase which is the finisher phase lasted till the seventh week during which period, the
broiler finisher rations of 19 % CP Feed A and 20 % CP Feed B were used.
Data Collection
The mean weekly body weight and daily feed consumption of birds were recorded throughout the experimental
period. Record of eggs laid was also kept from week five (35days) when they started laying.
Statistical Analysis
Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significant means were separated using
the generalised linear model procedure contain in [17] statistical package.
RESULTS
Mean Weight Gain (g) in Japanese Quails
Overall weight gain of birds was 75.88 % ± 8.97 g and 140.83 % ± 2.02 g, respectively during the starter phase
and finisher phases (Table 1). The weight gain of the quails by treatment (test diets) showed no significant
difference at the starter phase, while there was significant (P<0.01) difference between the two diets at the
finisher phase. Birds gained more (142.96 g) with Feed B.
Table 1: Mean of weight gain (g) in Japanese quails fed two commercial poultry broiler diets.
Variables Growth phase
Starter Finisher
No. of birds 200 200
Overall mean 94.05 ± 10.40 151.69 ± 2.49
Treatment NS **
Feed A 93.68 156.73
Feed B 94.42 146.56
Sex
Combined 94.05 NS
Male 151.73
Female 151.64
Treatment x Sex NS
Feed A x Combined 93.68
Feed B x Combined 94.42
**
Feed A x Male 156.89
d
Feed B x Male 146.57
c
Feed A x Female 156.75
b
Feed B x Female 146.57
a
Age of birds (days)
***
7 (1 weeks) 24.39
d
14 (2 weeks)
61.60
c
21 (3 weeks) 86.28
b
28 (4 weeks) 121.38
a
***
35 (5 weeks) 134.25
c
42 (6 weeks) 151.26
b
49 (7 weeks) 169.55
a
** = P<0.01 *** = P< 0.001 ns = Not Significant
abcd
Means for groups in homogeneous subsets are similar

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Weight gained by sex was significant (P<0.01) at the finisher phase when they were separated. Weight gain of
153.78 g for females was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of males by 25.9 g.
Weight gain of the birds by treatment versus sex showed no significant difference at the starter phase where
both sexes were combined. At the finisher phase, the weight gain of (155.35 g) in females fed Vital feeds was
higher than all others significantly (P<0.01). The least weight gain of 125.20 g was observed in males fed Feed
A.
Significant (P<0.001) difference were detected in the body weight gain at different ages of growth in both the
starter and finisher phases. On the whole weight gain increased with age. The range was 18.85 g to 99.79 g and
124.56 g to 155.37 g, respectively in the starter and finisher phases.
Mean of Feed Intake (g) of Japanese Quails
Mean of feed intake per bird show no significant (P<0.01) difference at the starter phase in both diets, while
there was significant (P<0.01) difference between diets at the finisher phase (Table 2).
Mean of feed intake by sex shows no significant (P<0.01) difference at the finisher phase in both male and
female birds.
Table 2: Means of feed intake (g) of Japanese quails fed two commercial poultry broiler diets.
Variables Growth phase
Starter Finisher
No. of birds 200 200
Overall mean 94.05 ± 10.40 151.69 ± 2.49
Treatment NS **
Feed A 93.68 156.73
Feed B 94.42 146.56
Sex
Combined 94.05 NS
Male 151.73
Female 151.64
Treatment x Sex NS
Feed A x Combined 93.68
Feed B x Combined 94.42
**
Feed A x Male 156.89
d
Feed B x Male 146.57
c
Feed A x Female 156.75
b
Feed B x Female 146.57
a
Age of birds (days)
***
7 (1 weeks) 24.39
d
14 (2 weeks) 61.60
c
21 (3 weeks) 86.28
b
28 (4 weeks) 121.38
a
***
35 (5 weeks)
134.25
c
42 (6 weeks) 151.26
b
49 (7 weeks) 169.55
a
** = P<0.01 *** = P< 0.001 NS = Not Significant
abcd
Means for groups in homogeneous subsets are similar
There was no significant (P<0.01) difference between the two treatments at the combined sex, but there was
significant difference (P<0.01) in the feed intake, between the two diets within the male sex. The value of

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156.89 g of Feed A was significantly (P<0.01) higher than the value of 146.57 g of Feed B. And also there was
significant (P<0.01) difference between the two feeds within the female sex, with the value 156.75 g of Feed A
being significantly higher than the value 146.54 g of Feed B.
The feed intake by age of birds shows significant (P<0.01) difference in both the starter and finisher phases of
growth. On the whole, feed intake increased with age. The range was 24.39
g to 121.38
g and 134.25 g to 169.55
g respectively in the starter and finisher phases.
Feed Conversion Ratio in Japanese Quails
The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the birds by treatment indicates a significant difference. The lower FCR
value of 1.25 at the starter phase showed that the diet (Feed A) was more utilized than the other diet (Feed B)
with FCR value 1.28. However, at the finisher phase there was also significant difference between the test diets
with Feed B having FCR value 1.04 being better utilized than Feed A with FCR value of 1.14 (Table 3).
FCR by sex of the birds shows significant difference between the sexes. The combined sex having FCR value of
1.26 which is higher and means, poor feed utilization at this stage. The FCR value of 0.99 of the female
indicates a better feed utilization by the female at the finisher phase than the male with FCR value of 1.19. The
FCR value obtained for female was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the one obtained for male at the finisher
phase.
Table 3: Mean of feed conversion ratio (FCR) in Japanese quails fed two commercial poultry broiler diets.
Variables Growth phase
Starter Finisher
No. of birds
200
182
Overall mean 1.26 ± 0.03 1.09 ± 0.01
Treatment NS **
Feed A 1.25 1.14
Feed B 1.28 1.04
Sex
Combined 1.26 **
Male 1.19
Female 0.99
Treatment x Sex Ns
Feed A x Combined 1.25
Feed B x Combined 1.28
**
Feed A x Male 1.25
Feed
B x Male
1.28
Feed A x Female 1.03
Feed B x Female 0.95
Age of birds (days) ***
7 (1 weeks)
1.29
ab
14 (2 weeks) 1.47
a
21 (3 weeks) 1.22
b
28 (4 weeks) 1.22
b
35 (5 weeks) 1.09
42 (6 weeks) 1.08
49 (7 weeks)
1.10
** = P<0.01 *** = P< 0.001 NS = Not Significant
abc
Means for groups in homogeneous subsets are similar
Treatment sex interaction, also showed significant (P<0.05) difference between treatment and sex. The FCR
value of 1.28 of Feed B was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the FCR value of 1.25 of Feed A at the starter
phase and combined sex. While at the finisher phase, in both male and female sex vital with FCR value of 1.13
and 0.95 respectively have been better utilized than Feed A with FCR value of 1.25 and 1.03 respectively.

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There was significant (P<0.05) difference in both the starter and the finisher phases of growth of the birds as
they increase in age.
Mean of Egg Weight (g) of Japanese quails
Overall mean weight of egg was 8.71 g. From the research, it shows that there was no significant (P<0.001)
difference in egg weight between the two test diets. With both feed having 8.68 g and 8.74 g mean egg weight
for Feed A and Feed B respectively (Table 4).
Table 4: Mean of Egg Weight (g) of Japanese quails fed two commercial poultry broiler diets.
Variables Growth Phase
Starter Finisher
No. of birds 200 182
Overall mean 8.71±0.54
Treatment NS
Feed A 8.68
Feed B 8.74
NS = Not Significant
DISCUSSION
Performance of Quails in terms of weight gain
The results of average weight gain (75.53-76.23 g) at the starter phase and 138.70-142.96 g at the finisher phase
showed that the birds gain more weight with vital feeds than with ECWA feeds. This may be as a result of the
slightly high protein contents of vital feeds (starter 21 % CP and finisher 19 % CP) as compared with Feed A
(starter 20 % CP and finisher 18 % CP). This agrees with [18] who reported that, “fast early growth is achieved
with high-protein diets. Japanese quails, which mature at 5 to 6 weeks of age, respond favourably to higher
dietary protein concentration”. The results also show that, the females (153.78 g) are heavier in weight than the
male (127.88 g). This also agrees with [18, 9], who reported that, the female coturnix are slightly heavier than
the male, weighing from 120-160 g as to male 100-140 g. Weight gain by age disagrees with [19] who reported
weight gain of Japanese quail fed diets containing 4 different levels of protein as 115.5 g as compared to the
weight gain of 142.56 g of this research work.
Performance of Quails in terms of feed consumption
The result of feed intake in this study obtained showed that at finisher phase, the birds consumed slightly more
of Feed A than Feed B (94.42 g and 93.68 g respectively). This may be as a result of the physical form of Feed
A being mash and Feed B in pellets form. This disagree with the report of [20, 21, 22, 23, 24] that pelleting is
known to improve weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency in broilers. Both male and female consumed
more of Feed A than Feed B with male consuming 156.89 g of Feed A compared to 146.57 g of Feed B. This
may be as a result of change in physical form of feed with Feed B being larger in pelleted form size than at the
starter phase and Feed A being still in mash form also at the finisher phase. Feed intake with age also increase as
age increases.
Performance of Quails in terms of Feed Conversion Ratio
The result of feed conversion ratio obtained from the study showed that at the starter phase, there is no
significant (P<0.001) difference between the two test diets. But at the finisher phase when sex are compared, it
shows that the female birds have better feed utilization than the male birds with FCR value of 0.99 as to that of
male 1.19. Sex and treatment interaction also shows better utilization of feed in female in both feeds than male
at the finisher phase. Feed conversion ratio by age shows that the birds utilized feed better at the finisher phase
than the starter phase. This may be as a result of the birds being productive at the finisher phase.
Performance of Quails in terms of Egg Production
At exactly 5 weeks, the first egg was picked, this is in agreement with [5] and disagrees with [8], who says, a
female Japanese quail reaches maturity and starts laying eggs at seven weeks. Overall mean weight of egg was
8.71 g this also disagrees with [8] who says each Japanese quail egg weighs about 10 - 12 g. From the research,

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it shows that there was no significant (P<0.001) difference in egg weight between the two test diets. With both
feed having 8.68 g mean egg weight for Feed A and 8.74 g mean egg weight for Feed B.
CONCLUSION
This study was aimed at investigating the effects of commercial feeds (Feed A and Feed B) on the growth
pattern of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). It was designed to measure the levels of feed intake,
body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and egg weight.
It could be concluded that, Feed B can be use on male and female quails to produce enough meat and eggs even
at 5weeks (35days).
It is hope that the results obtained in this study contain information that may lead to selection studies for growth
rate that will bring improvement in egg production. The birds should also be considered for developmental
genetics.
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