Effects of Feed Restriction on Compensatory Growth Period, Nutrient Digestibility and Economics of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

The experiment was to study the effects of feed restriction on compensatory growth, nutrient digestibility and economics in Japanese quails. 150 Japanese quail chicks (2 weeks of age) were selected randomly from a single flock and divided into 5 homogenous groups of 30 quails with three replicates, designating as AL i.e. ad libitum feeding group, and as R90, R80, R70 and R60 for 10-40% restriction of ad libitum group respectively. The quails were housed in wire mesh cages and commercial broiler starter feed (containing DM 88.6%, CP 24.78%, EE 2.93%, CF 5.3%, TA 5.77%, calcium 3.1% and phosphorous 0.77%) was used for feeding. Feed was restricted from 2^nd to 5^th week of age and thereafter all the groups were fed ad libitum. Drinking water was provided ad libitum. No vaccination and deworming were done. Feed intake reduced significantly (P<0.5) for feed restriction negatively affecting body weight gain. However, average gain: intake ratio was comparable in AL and R90 during feed restriction period. Body weights were comparable at 8^th weeks of age in both ad libitum and feed restricted groups after refeeding started at 6^th weeks of age indicating compensation of deficit growth within 3 weeks. The DM digestibility decreased with increased feed restriction, whereas CP digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) better in feed restricted groups. At 8^th week significantly (P<0.05) better feed efficiency was recorded in feed restricted groups. Similar trends were also observed for feed cost per kg body weight gain indicating that without significantly (P<0.05) affecting the growth, feeding cost can be reduced by feed restriction. It was concluded from the findings that 10% feed restriction is possible without any effect in growth and growth can be compensated with improved feed efficiency within 3 weeks when feed is restricted @ 10-40% from 2^nd to 5^th week in Japanese quails.