Effects of partially replacing protein and fiber sources with cashew nut cake and cashew apple bagasse on the production performance of meat quails (Coturnix japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1849)
Paper Details
Effects of partially replacing protein and fiber sources with cashew nut cake and cashew apple bagasse on the production performance of meat quails (Coturnix japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1849)
Abstract
This study assessed the effect of partially replacing soya meal and wheat bran with Cashew by-product on carcass characteristics, egg production and the physical quality of eggs in meat quails. 270 quails were divided into three treatment groups according to a completely randomized design, each with three replicates. The control treatment was fed commercial poultry feed. The other two treatment groups (T25 and T50) were fed diets containing 25% and 50% cashew nut cake and cashew apple bagasse, respectively, as substitutes for soya bean meal and wheat bran. The growth phase lasted 6 weeks, whilst the laying phase lasted 12 weeks. Carcass yield was influenced by the diet (P = 0.013), with the highest proportions observed in the control (71.10 ± 0.79%) and T25 (70.78 ± 0.84%). The breast, thigh and back meat in quails of both sexes were also influenced (P < 0.05) by the diet, with the highest proportion found in the control (46.77 ± 0.54%). The diet had no effect on the age at first egg laying (P = 0.698) or on the laying rate. Egg weight did not differ (P = 0.705). The shape index was significantly (P = 0.006) higher in the T25 group (78.5 ± 4.39%). The shell index (P = 0.398) and the yolk index (P = 0.086) were not affected by the diet. The Haugh unit varied significantly (P = 0.009), with the highest values (85.21 ± 4.64) observed in the T25 group. The T25 diet could represent an interesting alternative.
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N’Dri Saint-Clair Amani*, Moriféré Coulibaly, Gbohono Angelina Loukou, Howélé Ouattara, 2026. Effects of partially replacing protein and fiber sources with cashew nut cake and cashew apple bagasse on the production performance of meat quails (Coturnix japonica Temminck & Schlegel, 1849). Int. J. Biosci., 29(4), 133-143.
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