Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXV, Issue 2
Written by François Djitie KOUATCHO, Djanabou MOUSSA, Koné MAMADOU, Ndraouni FRIKI L, Bobga AOUDOU, Pidotcho GOLOMTA, Alexis TEGUIA
The present study was carried out from April to May 2018 in order to evaluate the effect of feed supplementation by M. oleifera leaves meal (MOLM) on quail (Coturnix sp.) production performances in the sudano-guinean zone of Cameroon. For this purpose, 192 quails of 21 days old with similar live weight were divided into 12 batches of 16 birds (8 males and 8 females). To a feed containing 20.18% Crude Protein and 3013.78 kcal of M E, 0, 1, 2, or 3% of MOLM was added corresponding to treatments T0, T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Each of these experimental diets was randomly assigned to 3 batches in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments repeated 3 times each. Data were collected throughout the 5 weeks of trial on growth performances, carcass and some reproductive characteristics. At the 7 weeks of the trial, 2 males, 2 females per batch were sacrificed to evaluate carcass and some reproductive characteristics. The main results showed that regardless of sex, the significantly higher (224.13 ± 30.69 g) live weight was obtained with 2% of MOLM compared to the control (203.83 ± 16.67 g). The significantly higher (4.74 ± 0.93) feed conversion ratio was obtained with the T3 treatment compared to T2 (4.24 ± 0.80 g). Carcass yield of males ranged from 70 (T2) to 73% (T3) and from 67 (T2) to 69% (T0) in females. Only whole carcass yield, relative weights of the wishbones, neck and gizzard were significantly (P<0.05) affected by MOLM. First songs in males as well as the first egg were recorded at 6 weeks age with 3% MOLM, which also induced a higher (73.01%) egg laying rate than control batch (57.14%). Treatments supplemented with 2 and 3% MOLM increased testicular weight (4.63 ± 0.34g and 5.48 ± 0.46 g respectively) compared to the control (3.54 ± 0.73 g). It has been concluded that MOLM can be used up to 3% to improve growth performance of quail in the finishing phase. Also, a 3% supplementation could be used to improve reproductive performance.
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