Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 54: 3892 - 3900. Published June 30, 2012.
Calcium and phosphorus requirements of Japanese quail layers
John K. Amoah1*, Ernesto A. Martin2*, Antonio J. Barroga2, Ernesto P. Garillo2 and Irene Domingo2
1Bugema University, P.O. Box 6529, Kampala, Uganda;
2Central Luzon State University, P.O. Box 3120 Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
RESUME
Objectives: To determine the dietary calcium and phosphorus requirements of Japanese quail layers
Methodology and Results: Two studies were conducted to determine the biological response of Japanese quail layers to diets containing different levels of calcium and phosphorus. A total of 540 (12 week old) and 270 (42 week old) were used. The birds were randomly assigned to six treatments consisting of three levels of Ca (2.5, 3.0 and 3.5%) and two levels of Pav (0.25 and 0.35%) following factorial completely randomized design. Each dietary treatment had three replications with 30 and 15 birds per replication for early and late production respectively. Diets were formulated using the User Friendly Feed Formulation (UFFF) software. Calcium source was 50% ground limestone and 50% oyster shell (1.5 mm), both in particulate form. Monodicalcium phosphate was the source of phosphorus. Quails in the early lay period attained optimal egg production, feed conversion, and egg mass on a diet containing 3.0% Ca with 0.25% Pav; Comparable values was attained in these parameters by the birds fed on a diet containing 3.5% Ca at both Pav levels. Quails on 3.5 percent Ca irrespective of Pav levels in the diet elicited higher tibia ash content. Eggshell weight was higher for diet containing 3.5% Ca with 0.25% Pav than the diet containing 3.0% Ca with 0.25Pav. In study two optimal egg production was attained with 3.5% Ca, irrespective of Pav level; birds on diet containing 2.5% Ca with 0.35% Pav was comparable with this group. The feed conversion ratio was low in diet containing 3.5% Ca with 0.35% Pav .
Conclusion and application: Findings in both studies indicate that the requirement of Japanese quail layers for calcium is higher than the 2.5 percent currently practiced in feed formulation when equal amount of limestone and oyster shell is used in the diet. A dietary Pav level of 0.35 percent is satisfactory for all periods, irrespective of Ca supplement. The emerging quail production in Uganda and Kenya calls all feed formulators and quail producers to use this formulation as a starting point in an attempt to find the right levels of calcium and phosphorus in the diet to maximize egg production.
Key Words: Available Phosphorus (Pav), Japanese Quails, oyster shell
