EFFECT OF DIFFERENT DIETARY PROTEIN ON EGG QUALITY TRAITS IN LAYER JAPANESE QUAILS (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

A Biological experiment were conducted using Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from day old to thirty weeks of age and varying  dietary protein regimen to study its effect on egg quality traits in requirement of layer Japanese quail reared in cages under a hot and humid tropical climate. Experiment quail chicks were fed with two levels of dietary protein 24 and 26 per cent (0-3 weeks) with 2750 Kcal ME/Kg , 20 and 22 per cent dietary protein with 2600 Kcal ME/Kg were provided to growers (4 to 6 weeks).  At  six weeks of age layer quails were provided with three levels of dietary protein of 16, 19 and 22 per cent with 2700 Kcal ME/Kg. The eggs collected   were utilized to study external and internal egg quality traits. Protein groups of  26/22/22, 24/22/22 and 26/20/22 recorded significantly (P<0.01) highest egg weight.  Dietary protein groups fed with 22 per cent protein during the growing and laying period, recorded significantly (P<0.01) higher egg weight. The various dietary protein combinations did not differ significantly in shape index, specific gravity, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit score, yolk colour score, shell thickness, per cent albumen and yolk. Age had significantly (P<0.05) influenced higher shape index, per cent shell and specific gravity. Individual dietary protein groups fed with 16 per cent protein during lay recorded significantly (P<0.01) higher yolk colour score and shell per cent.