Effect of Replacement of Shell grit with Stone Grit in Diet on Production Performance and Mineral Retention in Namakkal Gold Quail

PREMKUMAR; D.KANNAN; P. VASANTHAKUMAR; K.RAJENDRAN; S.RAMAKRISHNAN; V.KANNAN

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i1.169147

Authors

PREMKUMAR Dr
D.KANNAN Dr
P. VASANTHAKUMAR Dr
K.RAJENDRAN Dr
S.RAMAKRISHNAN Dr
V.KANNAN Dr

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i1.169147

Keywords:

Stone grit, Japanese quail, Egg production, Calcium retention

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using stone grit as an alternative calcium source in egg type Japanese quail diet. A biological trial was conducted by using 360 numbers of five week old female “TANUVAS Namakkal Gold quail” strain developed for egg production, divided into five dietary treatment groups, by replacing shell grit with 2 mm or 4 mm stone grit at 50 or 100 per cent levels in the diet. The study was conducted for 52 weeks, monitoring production performance (body weight, egg production, feed intake, feed efficiency, defective shelled eggs per cent, livability, leg abnormalities) and economic efficiency for every 28 days period. A separate metabolic trial was conducted for 5 days at the end of 52 weeks to assess the dry matter, calcium and phosphorous retention. Replacement of shell grit with stone grit (2 mm or 4 mm) at both inclusion levels had no significant impact on body weight, egg production, egg mass, feed efficiency, defective shelled eggs per cent and livability for the overall period. The overall feed consumption was significantly (p≤0.05) higher in 100 per cent 2 mm stone grit fed group and lower in 100 per cent shell grit fed group. Early egg production (6–20 weeks) was significantly higher in 100 per cent 4 mm stone grit fed group and lower in 100 per cent shell grit fed group. Defective shelled eggs per cent during 6-20 weeks was significantly lower (p≤0.05) in 100 per cent 4 mm stone grit fed group and higher in 50 per cent 2 mm stone grit fed group. The economical parameters (benefit- cost ratio, feed cost and production cost per dozen egg or kg egg) and retention of dry matter, calcium and phosphorous were not significantly influenced by the particle size or level of replacement of stone grit. In conclusion, 100 per cent replacement with 4 mm stone grit reduced the feed cost by 3.87 per cent and defective shelled eggs by 41.2 per cent and improved the egg mass by 5.7 per cent and hen day production by 4.84 per cent, supporting its use as an economically efficient alternative calcium source in the diet of egg type quails.

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