Authors : Sibel Cano ullari , Mikail Baylan and Ahmet Sahin
Abstract: The effect of choice feeding on feed intake, diet selection, growth performance and some carcass characteristics in Japanese quails was investigated in the current study. Choice-fed quail chicks were offered a choice of a concentrate feed (CON, 300 g CP and 13.1 MJ ME kg-1) and grounded wheat (GW, 115 g CP and 12.8 MJ ME kg-1), while control quail chicks (single- fed) were fed on a commercial feed (230 g CP and 13.4 MJ ME kg -1). Choice feeding did not affect feed intake, daily gain, feed conversation ratio, final live weight and carcass weight (P>0.05). These were determined in control and choice-fed quails as 24.9 vs 24.4 g , 7.58 vs 7.32 g, 3.29 vs 3.33, 282.8 vs 274.4 g, 203.7 vs 202.3 g, respectively. Choice-fed quails made a diet containing 255 g CP and 13.1 MJ, which had higher protein content, but lower metabolic energy content than control diet 230 g CP and 13.39 MJ per kg (P<0.01), by selecting 74 % concentrate feed and 24 % grounded wheat when they were offered concentrate feed and grounded wheat simultaneously. Also, it was determined that the nutrient requirement of Japanese quails were higher than what given in NRC (1994) for protein (240 g CP kg-1) and energy requirement (12.1 MJ ME kg-1). To conclude, choice feeding did not affect the performance parameters of Japanese quails, but gave them the opportunity to balance their nutrient intakes.
Sibel Cano ullari , Mikail Baylan and Ahmet Sahin , 2004. Diet Selection by Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Offered Grounded Wheat and Concentrate Feed as a Choice . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 419-423.