The Effect of Feeding Different Dietary Nutrient Levels on Sexual Maturity of Japanese Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)
Journal Title: Journal of Animal Production Advances - Year 2012, Vol 2, Issue 11
Abstract
This study was conducted primarily to determine the effect of feeding different dietary nutrient levels on sexual maturity of Japanese quails with special reference to the age and body weight at point of lay, the weight of first egg and gonad development of male and female quails. One hundred and eighty Japanese quail, aged 28 days were used for the experiment, which lasted for 5 weeks (day 28 63). The quails were randomly assigned to 5 treatments in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Each treatment consisted of four replicates (two male replicates and two female replicates). The control diet (T1) consisted of 24 % crude protein (CP), 5 % fat, 6 % crude fibre (CF) and 2600 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME). The other diets varied in the level of one of the nutrients in the control with T2 as low energy diet (2200 kcal/kg ME), T3, low crude protein diet (17 % CP), T4, high fat diet (10 % fat) and T5, high fibre diet (10 % CF). The dietary treatments and water were given ad libitum. Data on attainment of sexual maturity was taken. One quail was slaughtered weekly per replicate for gonad weight records and for measurement of cloacal gland area. It was observed that while the birds fed the high fibre diet first came into lay (at day 48), their final body weight (123.4 g) and egg weight (6.6 g) were low in relation to birds in the other treatment groups. Birds fed the high fat diet had the highest body weight (154.5 g) and egg weight (8.5 g) but attained late sexual maturity (at day 57). Birds fed the control diet laid their first egg on day 49 with body weight of 137.2 g and egg weight of 8.0 g, while those fed the low CP diet laid their first egg on day 52 with body weight of 134.8 g and egg weight of 7.2 g. Birds fed the low energy diet did not attain sexual maturity during the experimental period. This study revealed that the nutrient levels of the diets affected the gonad development, thus, the attainment of sexual maturity in Japanese quail. It was evident from this study that while chronological age and body weight were important traits in the attainment of sexual maturity, the nutrient content of the feed (energy in this study) was a major determinant of the attainment of sexual maturity.
Authors and Affiliations
L. A. F. Akinola , B. T. Sese , B. M. Oruwari
Effect of Replacing Maize with Agro By-Products on Carcass and Economy of Rabbit
An experiment was conducted to evaluate carcass characteristics and economic benefit of replacing maize with yam peel meal, cassava peel meal and combined yam and cassava peels meal in rabbit diets. Diet was formulated s...
Milk Yield of West African Dwarf Sheep fed Mexican Sunflower Leaf Meal based Diet
A study was carried out to estimate the milk yield of West African Dwarf (WAD) ewe fed Mexican Sunflower Leaf Meal (MSLM) on a basal diet of Panicum maximum (Pm). Sixteen WAD ewe with age range of 17-18 months and weighi...
Period and Repeatability of Blood Sampling in Reared Grasscutter (Thryonomys Swinderianus Temminck. 1827) in Benin
The present study aims to clarify the period and repeatability of blood sampling in subadult grasscutters to promote its health monitoring through blood tests. Eight subadult male grasscutters aged 6 of months from Benin...
Effect of Stage of Lactation on Milk Yield and Composition of First Kidder Damascus does in the Sudan
The present study was conducted to evaluate milk yield and composition of Damascus does raised under Sudan condition. Thirteen Damascus does in first parity order were selected from a flock owned by the Mamlakat El-Nahal...
Small Scale Dairy Production System Challenges and Prospects in Fafen Zone, Ethiopian Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia
The study was conducted between July 2013 and January 2014. The objective of this study was to examine the existing challenges and opportunities of small scale dairy production challenges and opportunity. The importance...