Replacement of Shell Grit with Stone Grit and Its Effect on Serum, Carcass and Tibia Bone Characteristics in Egg Type Japanese Quails
44 / 6
Authors
-
K. Premkumar
-
D. Kannan
-
P. Vasanthakumar
-
K. Rajendran
-
S. Ramakrishnan
-
V. Kannan
Keywords:
Calcium, Carcass characteristics, Particle size, Stone grit, Tibia bonAbstract
A trial was conducted for a period of 46 weeks (6-52 weeks) to evaluate the effect of replacing the shell grit with stone grit in the feed of egg type Japanese quails on serum, carcass and bone characteristics. A total of 360 numbers of five week old female Japanese quails were randomly distributed to 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates of 12 birds each in a completely randomized design. The calcium in the ration was supplied by replacing shell grit at two different levels (50 and 100 %) with stone grit of two particle sizes (2 mm and 4 mm) and the non replacement (100 % shell grit) group was taken as control.At the end of the 52 weeks, 60 birds were slaughtered to study the carcass and bone parameters. Both right and left tibia bones were collected, defatted and dried. Left tibia bones were measured for length and weight and analyzed for total ash, calcium and phosphorous contents. Right tibia bones were tested for bone breaking strength. Serum samples were analyzed for calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase. The carcass characteristics such as dressing percentage, eviscerated carcass weight, weights of giblet, liver, heart, gizzard as well as intestinal weight and length, levels of serum calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase did not vary significantly. The particle size or level of replacement of stone grit did not alter the tibia bone parameters such as tibia weight, length, diameter, Seedor index, Robusticity index and bone breaking strength. From this study, it can be concluded that the stone grit is efficient to supply adequate calcium for growth of bone and muscles as that of shell grit and hence the shell grit can be completely replaced with stone grit of size 4 mm in the feed of egg type Japanese quails without compromising the bone quality and carcass yield.
References
Ajani, O. W., Oladele, O. A., Adedotun, W. G., Temitope O. O. and Opeolouwa, O. E. 2024. Performance, egg quality characteristics, serum parameters, blood minerals and bone mineralisation of laying chickens fed bone dust as calcium source. Bulgarian Journal of Animal Husbandry. 61(1): 19-30.
Anonymous. 2025. Experimental Agro- metreological Advisory Service. Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu.
AOAC. 2023. Official Methods of Analysis, Association of Official Analytical Chemists, 22nd Edn, Washington, D.C, USA.
Araujo, J. A. D., Silva, J. H. V. D., Costa, F. G. P., Sousa, J. M. B. D.,Givisiez, P. E. N. and Sakomura, N. K. 2011. Effect of the levels of calcium and particle size of limestone on laying hens. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 40: 997-1005.
Bassi, L. S., Durau, J. F.,Zavelinski, V. A. B., Krabbe, E. L., Surek D. and Maiorka, A. 2022. Particle size of oyster shell meal and calcium: phosphorus ratios in broiler diets. Ciencia Rural Santa Maria, 52(10), e20210524.
Bonos, E. M., Christaki, E. V. and Florou-Paneri, P. C. 2010. Effect of dietary supplementation of mannan oligosaccharides and acidifier calcium propionate on the performance and carcass quality of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). International Journal of Poultry. Science, 9(3): 264-272.
Brenes, A., Viveros, A., Arija, I., Centeno, C., Pizarro, M. and Bravo, C. 2003. The effect of citric acid and microbial phytase on mineral utilization in broiler chicks.Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 110(1-4): 201-219.
Bueno, I. J. M., Surek, D., Rocha, C., Schramm, V. G., Muramatsu, K., Dahlke, F. and Maiorka, A. 2016. Effects of different limestone particle sizes in the diet of broiler breeders postmolting on their performance, egg quality, incubation results, and pre-starter performance of their progeny. Poultry Science, 95: 860-866.
Bugdayci, K. E., Oguz, M. N., Oguz, F. K.,Uyguralp, I. C. and Akinci, U. Y. 2020. Effects of Mediterranean cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) bone as an alternative calcium source on egg production, egg quality and some blood parameters in laying quails. Fresenius Environmental Bulletein, 29(4): 2683-2690.
Cordeiro, C. N., Bastos-Leite, S. C., Vasconcelos, F. C., Goulart, C. C., Sousa, A. M. and Costa, A. C. 2017. Chelated minerals and limestone particle sizes on performance and bone quality of brown-egg layers. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 19: 35-42.
Clunies, M., Parks, D. and Leeson, S. 1992. Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism and Eggshell Thickness in Laying Hens Producing Thick or Thin Shells. Poultry Science,71: 490-498.
De Witt, F. H., Kuleile, N. P., Van der Merwe, H. J. and Fair, M. D. 2009. Effect of limestone particle size on bone quality characteristics of hens at end-of-lay. South African Journal of Animal Science, 39(supplement1): 41-44.
Demirel, R., Baran, M. S., Bilal T. and Cevrim, U. 2007. Effects of different calcium levels on broiler performance and tibia bone parameters. Medcyna Wet, 63(4): 432-434.
Dongare, B. S., Kulkarni, R. C., Vasanthi, B., Awandkar, S. P., Gaikwad, N. Z.,Gadegaonkar, G. M. and More, A. 2024. Effect of coated calcium feeding on growth performance, carcass traits, immunity, blood biochemistry and tibial bone morphometry in commercial broiler chicken. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 56(8): 1-13.
Duncan, D. B. 1955. Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics., 11(1): 1 - 42.
El-Ganainy, H. Y., Hermes, I. H., Hanafy, A. M., El-Shafei, M. and Saber, H. S.2024. Impacts of nano-hydroxyapatite replacement for dicalcium phosphate on growth performance, carcass traits and immune organs of broiler chicks. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal, 44(4): 377-391.
Ertas, O. N., Ciftci, M., Guler, T. and Dalkilic, B. 2006. The use of possibility of mussel shell supplementation as calcium source in Japanese quails raised under heat stress conditions: the effect of mussel shell on egg yield and some blood parameters. Sagilik Billimleri Dergisi, 20(1): 15-20.
Eser, H., Yalcin, S.,Onbasilar, I.,Burcak, E. and Yalcin, S. 2018. Effects of grit supplementation to diets containing maize and barley as cereal grains on performance and slaughter characteristics in broilers. Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafkas University, 25(5): 683-688.
Eusebio-Balcazar, P. E., Purdum, S., Hanford, K. and Beck, M. M. 2018. Limestone particle size fed to pullets influences subsequent bone integrity of hens. Poultry science, 97(5): 1471-1483.
Garipoglu, A. V., Erener, G. and Ocak, N. 2006. Voluntary intake of insoluble granite-grit offered in free choice by broilers:its effect on their digestive tract traits and performances. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Sciences, 19(4): 549-553.
Genchev, A. and Mihaylov, R. 2008. Slaughter analysis protocol in experiments using Japanese quails (Coturnix Japonica). Trakia Journal of Sciences, 6(4): 66-71.
Gionfriddo, J. P. and Best, L. B. 1999. Grit use by birds. In Current ornithology, Springer.
Gloux, A., Le Roy, N.,Ezagal, J., Meme, N.,Hennequet-Antier, C., PikettyM. L. and Duclos, M. J. 2020. Possible roles of parathyroid hormone, 1, 25 (OH)2 D3, and fibroblast growth factor 23 on genes controlling calcium metabolism across different tissues of the laying hen. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 72; 106407.
Gongruttananun, N. 2011. Effects of using eggshell waste as a calcium source in the diet of Rhode Island Red roosters on semen quality, gonadal development, plasma calcium and bone status. Agriculture and Natural Resources, 45(3): 413-421.
Gultepe, E. E., Iqbal, A.,Uyarlar, C.,Cetingul, I. S.,Ozcinar, U. and Bayram, I. 2021. Effects of partial replacement of conventional limestone with dietary micro-calciumcarbonate on performance, egg quality, hematology, and calcium metabolism of laying hens during peak production. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 45(5): 851-862.
Hakami, Z., Al Sulaiman, A. R., Alharthi, A. S., Casserly, R., Bouwhuis, M. A. and Abudabos, A. M. 2022. Growth performance, carcass and meat quality, bone strength, and immune response of broilers fed low-calcium diets supplemented with marine mineral complex and phytase. Poultry science, 101(6): 101849.
Hu, Y. X., Bikker, P.,Duijster, M., Hendriks, W. H., Van Baal, J. and Van Krimpen, M. M. 2020. Coarse limestone does not alleviate the negative effect of a low Ca/P ratio diet on characteristics of tibia strength and growth performance in broilers. Poultry science, 99(10): 4978-4989.
Idachaba, C. U., Abeke, F. O.,Olugbemi, T. S. and Ademu, L. A. 2013. Effect of graded levels of stone grit on the utilization of rice offal based diets by broiler chickens. International Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 2(1): 125-131.
Jafari Arvari, A. R., Mirzaie Goudarzi, S., Abdollahi, M. R. and Sadeghi, M. 2024. A comparative study on the effect of limestone particle size on performance, ileal digestibility of calcium and phosphorus, and bone characteristics in broilers and pullets. British Poultry Science, 65(1): 52-61.
Karim, K. K. and Abdulla, N. R. 2024. Effect of using different levels of egg shell as calcium sources in broiler diet on growth performance, blood parameters, and bone characteristics, Kufa Journal For Agricultural Sciences., 16(2): 41-54.
Khanal, T., Bedecarrats, G. Y., Widowski, T. M. and Kiarie, E. G. 2020. Rearing cage type and dietary limestone particle size: II, effects on egg production, eggshell, and bone quality in Lohmann selected Leghorn-Lite hens. Poultry science, 99(11): 5763-5770.
Leao, A. P. A., Lana, S. R. V., Lana, G. Q., De Barros Junior, R. F., Mendonca, D. D. S., Oliveira, T. J. D. 2020. Digestibility and bioavailability of organic calcium sources for European quail. Semina: Ciencias Agrarias, Londrina, 41(6): 3275-3284.
Lee, W. D., Kothari, D., Niu, K. M., Lim, J. M., Park, J. Ko, D. H. and Kim, S. K. 2021. Superiority of coarse eggshell as a calcium source over limestone, cockle shell, oyster shell, and fine eggshell in old laying hens. Scientific Reports, 11(1): 13225.
Lima, D. F., Bastos-Leite, S. C., Angelim, A. M., Evangelista, A. B., Cordeiro, C. N., Freitas, E. R. and Silveira, R. M. F. 2024. Calcium levels and limestone granulometries in the diet of light layers in their second production cycle. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 26(3): 1-8.
Manangi, M. K. and Coon, C. N. 2007. The effect of calcium carbonate particle size and solubility on the utilization of phosphorus from phytase for broilers. International Journal of Poultry Science, 6: 85-90.
Manangi, M. K., Maharjan, P. and Coon, C. N. 2018. Calcium particle size effects on plasma, excreta, and urinary Ca and P changes in broiler breeder hens. Poultry Science, 97: 2798-2806.
Maranan, K. R. A., Bueno, C. M.,Adiova, C. B. and Recuenco, M. C. 2021. Effect of increasing levels of eggshell powder on the production performance, carcass characteristics, and bone properties of broiler chicken. Philippine Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 47(2): 1-15.
Mendonça, D. D. S., Lana, S. R. V., Lana, G. R. Q., Leao, A. P. A., Barros, R. F. D., Lima, L. A. D. A. and Silva, W. A. D. 2021. Different calcium sources on the productive performance and bone quality of meat quail. Ciencia Rural, 52(6), e 20210446.
Molnar, A., Maertens, L., Ampe, B., Buyse, J., Zoons, J. and Delezie, E. 2017. Supplementation of fine and coarse limestone in different ratios in a split feeding system: Effects on performance, egg quality, and bone strength in old laying hens. Poultry science, 96(6): 1659-1671.
Moghaddam, H. N., Rezaei, M. and Abadi, A. H. 2005. Effect of natural zeolite on performance, and tibia ash of broiler chicks. Proceedings of the 15th European Symposium on poultry nutrition, Balatonfüred, Hungary, 25-29 September, pp. 200-202.
Moghaddam, H. N., Rajabiyan, A. A.,Ebrahimnezhad, Y. and Teli, A. A. S. 2016. The effects of different sizes of insoluble grit on growth performance and carcass traits in broiler chickens. Journal of BioScience and Biotechnology, 5(1): 87-91.
Mohammed, A. A., Zaki, R. S.,Negm, E. A., Mahmoud, M. A. and Cheng, H. W. 2021. Effects of dietary supplementation of a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) on bone mass and meat quality of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 100(3): 100906.
Moura, G. R. S., Reis, R. D. S., Mendonça, M. D. O., Salgado, H. R., Abreu, K. D. S., Madella, G. D. S. and Lima, M. B. D. 2020. Substitution of limestone for eggshell powder in the diet of Japanese laying quails. Rev. Bras. Prod. Anim., 21: 1-13.
Nisar, F. 2015. Effect of particle size of dietary limestone on egg production and egg shell quality in spent layers. M.Sc. (Hons.) Thesis, Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Novack, C., Boiago, M. M.,Zampar, A.,Barreta, M., Oliveira, R.,Roscamp, E. and Silva, A. S. 2023. Industrial egg residue as a calcium source in broiler feed: digestibility and growth performance. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, 95(2), e20201688.
Pacheco, D. B., Bastos-Leite, S. C., Oliveira, J. V. A., Farias, M. R. S., Sena, T. L., Abreu, C. G., Freitas, E. R. and Cordeiro, C. N. 2022. Different calcium levels and two limestone granulometries in the diet of laying hens: Performance and bone characteristics. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 24(2): 1-8.
Panda, A. K., Rama Rao, S. V., Raju, M. V. L. N. and Sharma, S. R. 2006. Dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus sporogenes on performance and serum biochemico - lipid profile of broiler chickens. The Journal of Poultry Science, 43(3): 235-240.
Poudel, I., McDaniel, C. D., Schilling, M. W.,Pflugrath, D. and Adhikari, P. A. 2022. Role of conventional and split feeding of various limestone particle size ratios on the performance and egg quality of Hy-Line® W-36 hens in the late production phase. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 283: 115153.
Premkumar, K., Kannan, D., Vasanthakumar, P., Rajendran, K., Ramakrishnan, S. and Serma Saravana Pandian, A. 2024. Assessment of In vitro Solubility of Stone Grit-a Major Calcium Source in Poultry Feed. Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition, 41(3), 480-489.
Rama Rao, S. V., Raju, M. V. L. N., Reddy,M. R., Pavani, P.,Shyam Sunder, G. and Sharma, R. P. 2003. Dietary calcium and non-phytin phosphorus interaction on growth, bone mineralization and mineral retention in broiler starter chicks. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 16(5): 719-725.
Rezende, E. B., Valentim, J. K., Garcia, R. G., De Castro Burbarelli, M. F., Komiyama, C. M., Serpa, F. C. and Felix, G. A. 2024. Calcareous seaweed in the diet of growing Japanese quail. Animal Science Papers and Reports, 42(1): 65-80.
Rezvani, M. R., Moradi, A. and Izadi, M. 2019. Ileal digestibility and bone retention of calcium in diets containing eggshell, oyster shell or inorganic calcium carbonate in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 7(1): 7-13.
Saki, A., Rahmani, A. and Yousefi, A. 2019. Calcium particle size and feeding time influence egg shell quality in laying hens. Acta Scientiarum, Animal Sciences, 41,e42926.
Seedor, J. G., Quarruccio, H. A. and Thompson, D. D. 1991. The bisphosphonate alendronate inhibits bone loss due to ovariectomy in rats. J. Bone Miner. Res., 6: 339 - 346.
Souvik-Mondal, S. M., Lalzarzova, V. and Gautam Samanta, G. S. 2011. Feeding of different calcium sources on the carcass characteristics, plasma and bone major mineral status of Japanese quail. Indian Journal of Animal Health, 50(2): 31-37.
Usoro, O. O. and Christopher, G. I. 2022. Efficacy of grit and enzyme supplementation in brewers’spent grains-based diet for broilers. International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development. 25(1): 6216-6224.
Wang, S., Chen, W., Zhang, H. X., Ruan, D. and Lin, Y. C. 2014. Influence of particle size and calcium source on production performance, egg quality, and bone parameters in laying ducks. Poultry Science, 93(10): 2560-2566.
Xavier, R. P. D. S., Freitas, E. R., Braz, N. M., Farias, N. N. P., Lima, R. C., Watanabe, P. H. and Peixoto, M. S. M. 2015. Limestone particle sizes and lighting regimens on egg and bone quality of laying hens. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 50(8): 718-725.
Downloads
Submitted
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright remains with the society and author jointly. However, material can be used for research, teaching and to achieve goals of the society.
