DefinePK

Abstract

The 300 day-old quail chicks were used in a completely randomized design to determine the effect of replacing corn with mango kernel seed meal (MKSM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood biochemistry. The chicks were divided into 5 groups, each with 5 replicates having 12 birds in each replicate. Five iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets; Control, MKSM-15, MKSM-30, MKSM-45 and MKSM-45+E were formulated to contain 0, 15, 30, 45 % MKSM in first four diets while fifth diet contain 45% MKSM plus cocktail enzyme replacing corn. The body weight of birds was measured at the end of the experiment. The data of feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. However, at the end of experimental period, two birds from each replicate within a treatment were randomly selected, weighed and slaughtered to determine the carcass characteristics. Statistical analysis of growth performance revealed that feed intake did not change replacing corn with varying levels of MKSM in the diet of quail birds. Body weight gain was higher in birds of control group (0% MKSM) and 45% MKSM + cocktail enzyme group compared to the other groups. Decline in weight gain was observed as level of MKSM increased, however, addition of cocktail enzyme reversed this adverse effect. Better FCR was recorded (P<0.05) in birds of control group (0% MKSM) and 45% MKSM + cocktail enzyme group than other groups birds. Carcass characteristics and blood biochemistry parameters were not affected by levels of MKSM. It was concluded that corn can be replaced with MKSM up to 45% in the diet of quail birds with the addition of cocktail enzyme.