Response of Laying Japanese Quails (Cotunix japonica) to Sandbox (Hura crepitans) Seed Meal Based Diets

Abstract

A 70-day study was carried out to assess the effects of sandbox (Hura crepitans) seed meal-based diets on haematology and egg production parameters of Japanese quail birds. A total of 200 seven weeks old female Japanese quails were selected from growing phase and randomly distributed to five dietary treatments with four replicates of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. The diets were formulated to contain 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of sandbox seed meal (SBSM) at the expense of soybean meal to represent treatment diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Fresh drinking water was provided ad libitum throughout the laying phase. Blood samples were collected from two birds in each replicate at the end of the study for haematological studies. The results showed that hen day production, peak production, age at peak production and feed cost per dozen (N) were significantly (p<0.05) affected. Hen day production decreased at 100% sandbox seed meal replacement in the diets while, peak production decreased at 75 and 100% replacement level. Egg quality parameters were not significantly affected by treatment diets except the egg weight and yolk weight which had increased values with dietary increase in sandbox seed meal. Apart from packed cell volume and haemoglobin which showed significant (p<0.05) differences, only at T5 (100%SBSM), other blood parameters indicated no significant (p>0.05) differences across the treatment means. It could be concluded that sandbox seed meal can replace up to 75% of soya bean meal in Japanese laying quails without sacrificing egg quality, quantity indices and the health status of the birds.