EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF SNAIL MEAL IN THE RATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCES OF JAPANESE QUAILS Coturnix coturnix japonica

Abstract

One—day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) obtained from a
commercial quail hatchery and breeding were placed in wire mesh battery mges and
fed with diets containing the snail meal from 0 (control), 2.5, 5, and up to 7.5%. All
the rations contained 26% crude protein (CP) and 2800 kcal/kg of Metabolized
Energy (ME). The birds were reared for 6 weeks and then slaughtered. Growth
performances, i.e.: Feed Intake (FI), Body Weight (BW), Average Daily Gain
(ADG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) Bwere measured weekly, whereas carcass
and breast percentages of quails were observed at the end of rearing. Proxirnate
analysis revealed that snail meal was high in crude protein and calcium content.
Level of snail meal in the ration did not significantly influence Fl, FCR, carcass and
breast percentages of quails. In fact, the final body weight and ADG of birds fed
with snail meal was significantly higher than the control birds. In conclusion, large
quantity of snail manually collected to suppress golden snail population could be
used as source of protein and mineral for quail feed without affecting its growth
performances.