Growth Performance and Carcass Evaluation of Quails Fed Graded Levels of Water Soaked Sweet Orange Peel Meal (SOPM)

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at Plateau State College of Agriculture Garkawa Poultry unit to investigate the effect of inclusion levels on performance and carcass characteristics of Japanese quails  feds water soaked sweet orange peel meal (SOPM). Two hundred and sixteen (216) two weeks old Japanese quails were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments of thirty six quails each in three replicates of twelve quails in a completely randomized design. Inclusion levels of water soaked SOPM were 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% and were used to replace maize. Body weights were taken weekly. The results showed that water soaking significantly (p<0.05) reduced the mean final body weight gain  for 10 -25% inclusion levels and feed conversion ratio for the same treatments were higher than the control diet and 5% inclusion level. There were no significant differences for initial live weight and feed intake. Carcass result differed (P<0.05) significantly for final live weight, bled weight and kidney for internal organs among treatments while other parts did not differ (p>0.05) significantly. It was concluded that 5% water soaked SOPM can be recommended in Japanese quail diets.

Key Words: Sweet orange peel meal, Water soaking, Growth performance, Carcass characteristics, Japanese quail