Growth response of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to varying levels of cassava tuber meal (Manihot esculenta) as replacement for maize (Zea mays)

The study was conducted to determine the growth response of quails ( Coturnix coturnix japonica check for this species in other resources ) to varying levels of cassava as a replacement for maize. Thirty two Japanese quails were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. In each of the four diets, sun-dried cassava tuber meal (SDCTM) was used to replace maize at 0, 25, 50, and 75% levels. The quails were fed one of four experimental diets over a period of 42 days (6 weeks). Result showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in feed intake between quails fed 0% (T1) and 25% (T2) and those fed 50% (T3) and 75% (T4) levels of inclusion of SDCTM as a replacement for maize. However, mean weekly feed intake was significantly higher (P0.05) was observed in weight gain between T1 and T3 groups just as there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in weight gain between T2 and T4 groups. Mean weekly weight gain was significantly higher (P0,05) en el consumo de alimento entre codornices alimentadas con 0% (T1) y 25% (T2) y aquellas alimentadas con niveles de inclusión de HRYSS de 50% (T3) y 75% (T4) como reemplazo del maíz. Sin embargo, el consumo de alimento semanal promedio fue significativamente mayor (P0,05) en la ganancia de peso entre los grupos T1 y T3 justo como no hubo diferencia significativa (P>0,05) en la ganancia de peso entre los grupos T2 y T4. La ganancia de peso semanal promedio fue significativamente (P