Meat production performance of Japanese quails fed diets with varying energy and essential amino acids levels

The day old chicks (n=1800) of Japanese quails (CARI UTTAM and CARI UJJWAL) offered nine corn-soybean based diets (ME 2700, 2900 and 3100 kcal/kg) and three levels of essential amino acids (EAA 85, 100 and 115% of NRC, 1994) in a 3×3 factorial design. Each diet was offered to 4 replicated groups of 25 Japanese quails up to 5 week of age. Live weight and feed intake increased linearly (P<0.01) with increasing levels of dietary EAA but with decreased energy levels. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better with increased energy levels. The performance index was influenced (P<0.01) by the interaction of energy and EAA levels being superior at 3100 kcal and 115% and inferior at 2900 kcal and 85% EAA level diet. Eviscerated yields were lower in diets with 2900 kcal and 85%, 2900 kcal and 115% and 3100 kcal and 115% EAA diets in comparison to other diets. Higher weight of liver (P<0.01) was obtained in 85 or 115% EAA and for heart in 85 or 100% EAA diets. The meat yield per bird did not differ due to ME levels but increased linearly with raised dietary EAA. Feed cost per kg gain and per kg meat production were lower (P<0.01) at 2700 or 2900 kcal ME level when compared with 3100 kcal ME/kg diet. It is concluded that live weight, performance index, meat yield and economic return from 0–5 wk of age could be achieved with diets containing protein 23.30% at 2900 kcal ME/kg feed with lysine 1.30% in Japanese quails.