ABSTRACT

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion level (50% or 100%), form (whole or ground), and enzyme supplementation (with or without) of pearl millet at the expense of maize on the performance of Japanese quails. In the first experiment (growing phase), 378 two weeks old unsexed Japanese quails were used in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with eight treatments and a control all replicated thrice with 14 quails per replicate in a four-week feeding trial. Feed intake and weight gain were measured weekly. Three quails per treatment were used for carcass evaluation. The second experiment (laying phase) evaluated the effect of pearl millet inclusion (50% or 100%), pearl millet form (whole or ground), and enzyme supplementation of pearl millet diets (with or without) as replacement for maize on the laying performance, egg quality parameters and nutrient‟s digestibility of laying Japanese quails using 162 seven weeks old female Japanese quails in the same arrangement as in the first experiment with 6 quails per replicate. Egg production, feed intake and body weight were measured and recorded. Egg quality analysis was also carried out. At the end, digestibility study was conducted. In experiment 1, weight gain, age at first lay, weight at first lay and weight of first egg were similar (P>0.05) among the treatments. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, total feed cost and feed cost/kg gain were significantly affected (P<0.05) by pearl millet inclusion with the control group doing better than either of the pearl millet inclusion levels of 50% or 100%. Dressing percentage, gizzard weight and liver weight were not affected by dietary inclusion level, form or enzyme supplementation of pearl millet diets. Pearl millet inclusion regardless of form or enzyme supplementation led to increased intestinal weight relative to the control. Quails fed pearl millet without enzyme had heavier proventriculus than those fed maize (control). In experiment 2, inclusion level, form (whole or ground) and enzyme supplementation in pearl millet based diets increased feed intake and feed cost/dozen eggs of quails as compared to the control. Feeding pearl millet increased the egg weight, albumen percentage and shell thickness but decreased the egg yolk percentage of laying Japanese quails. Feeding whole pearl millet increased the digestibility of crude protein, ether extract and ash by laying Japanese quails. Pearl millet inclusion increased crude protein digestibility. Enzyme supplementation in pearl millet based diets did not improve their nutrient‟s digestibility. The results of this study showed that where the price of pearl millet is less than that of maize, whole pearl xi millet can conveniently replace maize in the diet of Japanese quails without any adverse effects.