Abstract:
The use of readily available feed resources in the rearing of quail has the potential of
improving animal protein needs in resource-poor communities in Ghana. The leaf
meal of Moringa oleifera is one such feed resource. However, its utility has not been
assessed by quail farmers. This study was, therefore, conducted to determine the
effect of M. oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on growth performance and carcass
characteristics of Japanese quails. Freshly harvested M.oleifera leaves were shadedried
for one week, milled using a hammer mill, sieved into meal and used in the
formulation of the feed for the birds. A total of 120 unsexed Japanese quails were
randomly allotted to four treatments with three replications each. There were ten (10)
birds per replicate giving a total of 30 birds in each treatment. Completely
Randomized Design was used for the experiment. Four levels of MOLM consisting 0
%, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) were fed during the research
period which lasted for 12 weeks. All the experimental diets were formulated to meet
the nutrient requirements of breeder chicks according to the NRC (1994). The
experimental diets were formulated at Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills
Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) Teaching and Research
Farm of the Department of Animal Science Education. The MOLM was used to mix
with a commercial started and finisher diet at a rate of 0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg (CON,
MOLM5, MOLM10 and MOLM15, respectively) producing four dietary treatments.
During the feeding trial feed intake and body weight gain were measured and used to
calculate feed conversion ratio (FCR). The results showed that dietary treatments of
MOLM had a statically significant effect (P < 0.05) on overall body weight gain, feed
intake, FCR and dressed weight of birds. However, there were no statically significant
difference (P > 0.05) between the varied levels of MOLM diets on live weight, bledweight, defeathered weight, head weight, Leg pair, intestine weight and giblet
weights. The study concluded that birds' development efficiency and carcass
characteristics appeared to be unaffected, Japanese quail nutrition may include
Moringa oleifera leaf meal to enhance their growth performance and their carcass
characteristics.
Description:
A dissertation submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the Award of Master of Education in
Agriculture (Animal Science) in the Akenten Appiah-Menka
University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial
Development
NOVEMBER, 2022