EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEED FORM ON FATTENING PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA)

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EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEED FORM ON FATTENING PERFORMANCE

AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF JAPANESE QUAILS (COTURNIX

COTURNIX JAPONICA)

Mikail Baylan

a*

_{, Sibel Canogullari}

b

_{, Kadriye Kursun}

c

a_{University Of Cukurova}

b_{Nigde Omer Halisdemir University, Faculty Of Agricultural Sciences And Technologies, Department}

Of Animal Production And Technol

c_{Cukurova University, Agriculture Faculty, Department Of Animal Science, Adana/Turkey}

*mikailbaylan@gmail.com

Abstract:

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of using compound feed in different physical forms in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on fattening performance and carcass characteristics. In the experiment, 300 day old chicks were separated into two groups and each group was consisted of three subgroups. During the experiment, two groups were formed by using compound feed in powder and granule form containing 22% crude protein and 3000 kcal/kg ME. Weekly live weights of quails was determined individually, while feed consumption was determined in group level. In the fifth week of the study, a total of 15 male and 15 female quails were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were investigated.

Live weight of the quails in first week were not significant between the experimental groups (P>0.05) whereas in all other weeks the group fed with granular feed had a higher live weight value than the group fed with powder feed (P <0.05). At the end of the fifth week, the live weight values of the granule and powder feed groups were 273.39 and 264.38 g respectively. At the end of fattening period, the total feed consumption was determined as 873.83 and 860.89 g in the granule and powder feed group and the feed conversion rate was 3.20 and 3.26, respectively. Slaughter and carcass weights were higher in the group fed with granular feed, whereas carcass yield was higher in the group fed with powder feed. In terms of internal organs, the granule feed group also had higher values. As a result, it can be emphasized that the use of granular feed in quails gives better results when considering live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion rate and carcass characteristics. When the live weight gain was examined in both experimental groups, it was concluded that the quail fattening period might be appropriate for 5 weeks.

Keywords: Quails, Feed Form, Performance, Carcass Characteristics *