Growth, reproductive performance, egg quality and blood profile of quails (coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets containing graded levels of moringa oleifera leaf meal

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of Moringa oliefera leaf meal (MOLM) on growth, reproductive performance, and haematological characteristics of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in Ghana. The study was conducted from April, 2019 to August, 2019. A total of one-hundred and twenty (120) brown Japanese day-old quails were obtained from Arko Farms Ltd., Kumasi and used for the experiment. The birds were allocated to four treatments with three replications. The details of the treatment groups are as follows: control (where no MOLM was added to the diet), followed by 5 %, 10 % and 15 % of Moringa oleifera leaf meal inclusion levels which were coded as 0% MOLM, 5% MOLM, 10% MOLM and 15% MOLM respectively. Each replicate had ten (10) birds which gave a total of thirty (30) birds per treatment in a complete randomized design (CRD). A mating ratio of 1 male: 4 females were used. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance with the aid of GenStat version 11.1 (2008). Results from the study showed that daily and total feed intake decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary Moringa oleifera leaf meal. Bodyweight and bodyweight gain increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary Moringa oliefera leaf meal. Birds fed Moringa oleifera diets had better (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio than those fed control diet. Fertility was highest (P = 0.010) in birds fed diet that contained 15 % Moringa oleifera leaf meal, followed by birds fed with diets that had 10 % and 5 % Moringa oleifera leaf meal. The least fertility was observed among birds fed the control diet. Birds fed diet that contained 15% Moringa oleifera leaf meal had shorter days (42 days) to the onset of egg production (P = 0.001) and was followed by 10% and 5 % inclusion levels respectively while birds fed the control diet spent longer days to onset of egg laying. Increasing Moringa oleifera leaf meal in the diet resulted in increasing bodyweight at first egg, egg weight at first egg-laying and hen-day egg production. Dietary MOLM had University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh xvi significant (P < 0.05) effect on external and internal egg quality but not (P > 0.05) on shell weight, albumin weight and yolk pH. Egg diameter, egg weight and egg length were highest (P < .001) in eggs laid by birds fed 15 % MOLM and lowest in the control diet. Shell thickness was highest (P = 0.002) in the control diet and significantly lowest in 15 % MOLM diet. Albumin weight, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk pH and yolk colour were highest (P < 0.05) in 15 % MOLM diet and lowest in the control diet. Birds fed diet that contained 10 % MOLM recorded the highest (P < 0.05) albumin pH and Haugh unit. Moringa oleifera leaf meal inclusion in the diet showed no significant (P > 0.05) influence on hormonal, haematological and biochemical parameters. This study concludes that feeding quails with Moringa oleifera leaf meal up to 15 % inclusion level promotes better feed utilization and enhances rapid growth, reduces age at first egg laying, increases egg weight and hen-day egg production and also increases economic efficiency. The study also concludes that egg quality and fertility of Japanese quails increased with increasing levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in the diet. It is recommended that, for rapid growth, early attainment of puberty, high bodyweight gain and high egg quality and fertility as well as increased economic efficiency, quails diet should be formulated to contain Moringa oleifera leaf meal up to 15 % inclusion level