Effect of mash, pellets, crumbles and wet feed on performance of Japanese quail during the summer [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The influence of feed form on productive and reproductive performance was studied in 240 Japanese quail chicks from 14 to 180 d of age to alleviate high temperature effects during summer season. The experimental chicks of were housed in batteries and assigned to 4 groups (60 birds /each). Birds fed mash feed, and considered as control group (C). While. the first, second and third treatment (T1, T2 and T3) was fed on pellets, crumbles and wet feed, respectively. All experimental birds were raised under similar environmental and managerial conditions. The results showed that treatments birds fed crumbles and wet diets throughout the experimental period had superior body weight. feed conversation, egg number. shell thickness, haugh units, dressed carcass, lymphocyte, hematocrit and mortality percentages compared to birds fed mash and pellets at any time. Otherwise, no significant differences (P<O.05) existed in feed consumption, plumage conditions and egg weight. It could be concluded that birds fed wet during growing period and crumbles feed during laying period had high performance and economical efficiency. Consequently, diets for Japanese quail should be in crumble or wet form during high summer temperatures.

Summary in Arabic.

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