Hydrolyzed Cottonseed Protein Can be Used in Japanese Quails Diet to Improve Production Performance

H, MoradpourF, KheiriM, FaghaniN, Landy

The present experiment was carried out to examine the influence of hydrolyzed cottonseed protein (HCP) supplementation on the production performance, jejunum morphology, egg quality and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of serum and egg yolk in laying Japanese quail. A total of one hundred and ninety-two laying quails were divided into six treatments groups. Four diets containing 0 (basal diet), 5, 6, and 7 g of HCP were compared to the basal diet + 15 IU of vitamin E or the basal diet + 2 mg lincomycin. The birds fed diets containing 7 g HCP/kg of diet had the highest average daily feed intake (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing 5 or 6 g HCP/kg of diet had better feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Egg mass and percentage of egg production were higher in quails fed basal diet + 7 g HCP/kg of diet (p<0.05). Quails fed diets containing 5 g HCP/kg of diet had higher villus height to crypt depth ratio (p<0.05). Quails fed diets containing 5 g HCP/kg of diet had higher percentage of protein in the albumen compared to other groups. The birds fed diets containing 7 g HCP/kg of diet had the highest TAC in serum and yolk (p<0.05). The findings showed that addition of 5 g HCP/kg of diet could have a positive influence on the feed conversion ratio, jejunum morphology, egg quality and the TAC of serum in laying Japanese quail.(AU)

1. hydrolyzed protein
2. intestinal morphology
3. Antioxidant activity
4. Japanese quail