Vol. 11, Special Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
K Padma Priya, S Nivetha, N Parameshwari and R John Christy

Abstract:
The present study was designed to know the impact of unsalted fish meal as a protein source on the body weight gain of Japanese quails at various inclusion levels. A total of 48 numbers of 7 day old unsexed Japanese quail chicks from a single hatch was procured and randomly divided into three groups (i e) F₀ (control), F₁ (5% dried unsalted fish meal) and F₂ (10% dried unsalted fish meal) containing 16 number of chicks in each group. Japanese quails fed with 5% fishmeal attained an average body weight of 45g, 90g, 105g, 130g and 150g at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of age respectively. Paired t test value was found to be 3.1623 which was statistically significant at 0.05 significance level (P<0.05). Further, Japanese quails fed with 10% fishmeal attained an average body weight of 50g, 100g, 125g, 140g and 170g at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of age respectively. Paired t test value was found to be 4.1295 which was statistically significant at 0.05 significance level (P<0.05). The mean body weight attained was found to be more in the case of birds fed with unsalted fishmeal inclusion at 10% (F2) compared to those fed with basal diet (F0) and unsalted fishmeal inclusion at 5% (F1). Thus it is concluded that the inclusion of dried unsalted fish meal in the basal diet can be used effectively and economically as an alternative protein source in commercial Japanese quail feed to increase body weight.