Philippine E-Journals

Laying Performance of Japanese Quails (Cotumixcotumix Japonica) Fed Diets Based on Sorghum, Wheat, Corn and Their Combination

Mylyn T. Macabanti | Carmencita D. Mateo | Jezie A. Acorda

Discipline: Animal Science

 

Abstract:

A total of 216 Japanese layer quails were used to determine whether sorghum, wheat and their combination can compare with corn in terms of egg production, live weight gain and livability. The birds fed with the different cereal grains and their combination did not differ (P<0.05) in terms of % average hen-day egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency, feed cost/dozen eggs, feed cost/egg mass and body weight gain. Birds fed wheat alone or in combination with corn performed better than birds fed corn-based diet in all production parameters. However, these birds tended to consume significantly less feed than birds fed corn-based diet. Birds fed with com + wheat-based diet were more feed efficient and better feed converters compared to those. fed corn alone. Feed efficient and feed conversion ratio tended to be better in wheat + sorghum-based diet, compared to wheat' or corn-based diet. Birds fed sorghum were more feed efficient and better feed converters with lower feed cost to produce a dozen eggs than those fed com. Birds fed com had the highest feed consumption among all treatment groups. This study suggests that sorghum and wheat can partially or totally replace corn in quail diets without significantly affecting egg production performance; however, price differences among the grains should be an important consideration.`