- Email: [email protected]
Changes in protein level for bobwhite quail
©2013 Poultry Science Association, Inc.
Changes in protein level for bobwhite quail J. P. Blake1 and J. B. Hess Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 Primary Audience: Nutritionists, Researchers, Producers SUMMARY Limited information exists concerning the dietary requirements of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), and producers who rear this species for sport shooting and stocking could benefit from such information. In this experiment, 576 two-week-old bobwhite quail were divided among 6 treatment groups and randomized into 8 replications with 12 birds/replicate. A 26, 24, or 22% CP diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) was fed to 4 or 6 wk of age, followed by the introduction of a 20% CP diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) fed through 8 wk of age. Birds and feed were weighed on a biweekly basis. No differences were observed in BW or gain of birds fed the 3 CP regimens from 2 wk until introduced to a 20% CP diet. Feed consumption was significantly decreased in the 22% CP group that was introduced to the lower CP diet (20%) after 2 wk. Although this treatment exhibited a marginally low protein intake as compared with the other treatments, growth performance remained uncompromised. Period FCR appeared to be unaffected by dietary CP regimen, but overall FCR for the 8-wk period was highest for birds on the 26% CP regimen (3.824), whereas the 22% CP regimen was intermediate (3.768), and the 24% CP regimen provided the best FCR (3.639). Therefore, bobwhite quail appear to be unaffected by major dietary changes in protein level and a 26% CP diet may provide adequate nutrition for the 0- to 2-wk starting period, followed by a 24% CP diet for a 2- to 4-wk period, and a 20% CP diet thereafter. Key words: bobwhite quail, protein, methionine 2013 J. Appl. Poult. Res. 22:511–515 http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/japr.2013-00727
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM Commercial production of Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) serves as a primary source to meet the needs of the shooting preserve community and provides a supply of birds to replenish wild managed areas. Although commercial production has continually increased, limited information exists concerning the nutritional requirements for the confined rearing of bobwhite quail. Some of the early studies have investigated protein and amino acid requirements of the bobwhite quail 1
Corresponding author: [email protected]
and have stated a relatively high requirement for protein (28%) [1–3]. Lower protein requirements (20–26%) have also been reported when practical corn-soybean meal diets were fed [4, 5]. Although a summarization of research results for bobwhite quail exists [6], there is still a lack of information concerning their nutrient requirements. Due to increases in feed costs, it is of interest to investigate the use of lower protein levels that will support the commercial production of the bobwhite quail without contributing to a loss in growth or development.
JAPR: Research Report
512
MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 690 one-day-old bobwhite quail chicks of mixed sex were hatched from eggs obtained from a breeder flock housed at the Auburn University Poultry Science Research Unit and floor reared in temperature-controllable chambers (8 × 8 × 8 ft; 2.44 × 2.44 × 2.44 m) having an L:D cycle of 16:8 h. A total of 115 birds were assigned to each of 6 chambers and were brooded at 95 and 90°F during wk 1 and 2, respectively, where temperature was monitored and maintained within ±1°F of target for each chamber. A 26% CP diet (Table 1), in accordance with NRC [6], was fed during this 2-wk starting period. At 2 wk of age, 576 healthy, viable birds were reassigned and randomly allocated among 6 treatments and randomized among 8 replica-
tions with 12 birds/pen (Table 2). Birds were housed in Petersime batteries [7] within a temperature-controlled room having an L:D cycle of 16:8 h. Extra birds were removed from the study and reared elsewhere. A 26, 24, or 22% CP mash diet was fed to 4 or 6 wk of age followed by the introduction of a 20% CP mash diet fed through 8 wk of age (Table 1). Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the 8-wk experimental period. Body weight was recorded initially and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk of age to determine BW gain. Mortalities were weighed and recorded before disposal. Feed consumption was calculated by the difference in feed offered and feed remaining on a pen basis at biweekly intervals. Mortality-corrected FCR was determined as the ratio of the FC divided by the pen weight plus BW of mortality during each period. Statistical analysis was conducted using JMP soft-
Table 1. Composition of the experimental diets Dietary CP (%) Item Ingredient (%) Ground yellow corn Soybean meal (48% CP) Poultry by-product meal (60% CP) Rice mill feed Poultry oil Limestone Dicalcium phosphate (18.5% P; 24% Ca) Salt dl-Met (99.9%) l-Lys (98.0%) Vitamin premix1 Trace mineral premix2 Total Calculated composition (%) CP ME (kcal/kg) ME (kcal/lb) Ca Nonphytate P Met Met + Cys Lys 1
26
24
22
20
50.65 34.25 9.00 2.90 — 1.02 0.93 0.31 0.19 — 0.50 0.25 100.00
53.96 29.30 9.00 4.50 — 1.01 0.97 0.31 0.17 0.03 0.50 0.25 100.00
57.20 25.58 8.00 5.79 — 1.04 1.09 0.32 0.16 0.07 0.50 0.25 100.00
59.87 26.86 3.18 6.79 0.08 1.03 0.96 0.37 0.11 — 0.50 0.25 100.00
26.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.90 0.45 0.62 1.00 1.40
24.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.90 0.45 0.57 0.92 1.29
22.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.90 0.45 0.53 0.85 1.19
20.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.70 0.35 0.45 0.75 1.05
Supplied the following per kilogram of complete feed: 8,000 IU of vitamin A (vitamin A acetate); 2,000 IU of vitamin D (cholecalciferol); 8 IU of vitamin E (dl-α tocopheryl acetate); 2 mg of menadione (menadione sodium bisulfite complex); 5.5 mg of riboflavin (riboflavin); 13 mg of pantothenic acid (d-calcium pantothenate); 36 mg of niacin (niacinamide); 500 mg of choline (choline chloride); 0.02 mg of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin); 5 mg of folacin (folic acid); 1 mg of thiamine (thiamine mononitrate); 2.2 mg of pyridoxine (pyridoxine hydrochloride); 0.05 mg of biotin (d-biotin); and 125 mg of ethoxyquin. 2 Supplied the following per kilogram of complete feed: 125 mg of manganese (manganous oxide); 1 mg of iodine (ethylene diamine dihydriodide); 55 mg of iron (iron carbonate); 6 mg of copper (copper oxide); 55 mg of zinc (zinc oxide); and 0.3 mg of selenium (sodium selenite).
Blake and Hess: PROTEIN FOR BOBWHITE QUAIL Table 2. Assignment of dietary treatments Treatment (CP level–wk of age) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6
Diet CP (%)
Feeding period1 (wk)
26 26 24 24 22 22
2–4 2–6 2–4 2–6 2–4 2–6
1
Birds were fed a 26% CP diet from 0 to 2 wk before initiation of the experiment. Birds were then placed on a 20% CP diet at 4 or 6 wk of age until experiment termination at 8 wk of age.
ware [8]. Bird transport, housing, and handling procedures before and during experimentation were in accordance with guidelines of Auburn University’s Animal Care and Use Committee.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION No differences were observed in BW of birds subjected to the 3 CP regimens initiated at 2 wk of age, continuing until 4 or 6 wk of age, and followed by a 20% CP diet (Table 3). Period BW gains exhibited no distinct patterns based on protein level as well. Feed consumption (FC) was significantly (P = 0.017) decreased during the 4 to 6 wk period in the group fed a 22% CP diet at 2 wk of age when a 20% CP diet was introduced at 4 wk. This same group exhibited the highest FC (193.5 g/bird) during the 6 to 8 wk period that followed, but this increase was not significant (P = 0.060) when compared with the other CP regimens. This treatment (22% CP diet from wk 2–4) exhibited a marginally low protein intake as compared with the other treatments, yet growth performance remained uncompromised. Period FCR appeared to be unaffected by dietary CP regimen (Table 3). Overall, FCR for the 8-wk period indicated a higher FCR (P = 0.025) for birds retained on the higher CP regimen (26%), whereas the 22% CP regimen was intermediate, and the 24% CP regimen provided the best FCR (Table 3). Overall, treatment averages for FCR for the 26, 22, and 24% CP regimens were 3.824, 3.768, and 3.639, respectively. The increased FC and higher FCR for the 26% CP regimens may be associated with the need for increased energy intake (a higher level
513
of dietary ME) to offset the higher CP intake [6]. Mortality was negligible during the course of this experiment (data not shown), averaging less than 1% among treatments for the 8-wk experimental period. Previously, it was indicated that feeding a 28% CP diet for the first 6 wk of age and a 20% CP diet thereafter resulted in maximum BW gain in bobwhite quail reared to 9 wk of age [3]. It must be noted that these diets were not supplemented with synthetic amino acids, whereas CP levels for bobwhite quail can be reduced to 20 to 26% when a practical corn-soybean meal diet is supplemented with amino acids [4, 5]. However, in that research, lower protein levels were introduced at the initiation of the experiments and not staged in as in the current study. The reduction of CP levels over time provides a logical approach to meeting reduced CP requirements as the bird ages. Based on the present results, a 26% CP diet may provide adequate nutrition for the 0- to 2-wk starting period, followed by a 24% CP diet for an additional 2- to 4-wk period, and a 20% CP diet from 6 wk of age. A reduction to a 24% CP diet after the first 2 wk is possible when Met supplementation is included as an essential component of diet formulation. Therefore, bobwhite quail can perform as well on lower dietary CP that meets recognized amino acid requirements through proper supplementation (i.e., Met). This assumption agrees with that of Serafin [9, 10], in that supplemental Met significantly improves the growth rate of bobwhite quail and a 26% CP diet is sufficient when supplemented with Met. Bobwhite quail appeared to be unaffected by major dietary changes in CP level under the conditions of this study and when maintained in a healthy environment. Additional studies determining an appropriate dietary CP-to-ME ratio for bobwhite quail may provide greater insight concerning the requirements for these nutrients.
CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. A 26% CP diet may prove adequate for the 0- to 2-wk starting period, followed by a 24% CP diet for an additional 2- to 4-wk period, and a 20% CP diet thereafter.
JAPR: Research Report
514
Table 3. Body weight, feed consumption, and FE for bobwhite quail fed varying dietary CP regimens Treatment1 (CP level–wk of age)
Week 2
4
6
8
2
BW (g) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value BW gain3 (g/bird) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value Feed consumption3 (FC; g/bird) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value Feed conversion3 (FC:BW) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value
35.7 35.4 35.2 34.5 35.6 35.0 0.59 0.730
80.7 80.4 80.9 76.7 79.2 77.9 1.04 0.058
123.8 124.4 123.8 123.9 119.5 123.2 1.45 0.193
158.6 158.5 157.0 158.6 156.9 157.3 1.48 0.904
45.0 45.0 45.2 42.3 43.7 42.8 1.05 0.236
43.7 44.0 44.1 45.9 41.3 45.4 1.14 0.102
36.1 35.3 33.8 34.7 35.4 34.1 1.03 0.598
123.0 124.3 123.1 122.9 120.5 122.3 1.76 0.755
114.7ab 117.6a 109.6ab 104.1b 107.3ab 108.9ab 2.77 0.016
163.0ab 171.5a 157.0ab 160.7ab 150.5b 162.4ab 3.92 0.017
192.5 184.9 180.2 186.3 193.5 188.7 3.17 0.060
475.3a 473.9a 446.8b 449.7b 451.4b 462.6ab 7.37 0.038
2.555 2.614 2.425 2.467 2.459 2.545 0.051 0.104
3.785 3.902 3.566 3.523 3.650 3.593 0.103 0.114
5.692 5.250 5.339 5.482 5.487 5.560 0.118 0.187
3.834a 3.813a 3.583b 3.694ab 3.750ab 3.786ab 0.053 0.025
a,b
Values within a column with unlike superscripts differ significantly (P < 0.05). Birds were fed a 26% CP diet from 0 to 2 wk of age and then reassigned to a 26, 24, or 22% CP diet from 4 or 6 wk of age. Birds were placed on a 20% CP diet at 4 or 6 wk of age until experiment termination at 8 wk of age. 2 Initial mean BW at hatch were 6.73, 6.65, 6.53, 6.81, 6.44, and 6.70 g/bird for 115 birds placed in each of 6 chambers. 3 Measured between wk 2 and 4, 4 and 6, 6 and 8, and 2 and 8, respectively. 1
2. Bobwhite quail appeared to be unaffected by major dietary changes in protein level, but, to accommodate a reduction in dietary CP, Met supplementation becomes an integral component of diet formulation.
REFERENCES AND NOTES 1. Nestler, R. B., W. W. Bailey, and H. E. McClure. 1942. Protein requirements of bobwhite quail chicks for sur-
vival, growth, and efficiency of feed utilization. J. Wildl. Manage. 6:185–193. 2. Baldini, J. T., R. E. Roberts, and C. M. Kirkpatrick. 1950. A study of the protein requirements of bobwhite quail reared in confinement in battery brooders to eight weeks of age. Poult. Sci. 29:161–166. 3. Andrews, T. L., R. H. Harms, and H. R. Wilson. 1973. Protein requirement of the bobwhite chick. Poult. Sci. 52:2199–2201. 4. Baldini, J. T., R. E. Roberts, and C. M. Kirkpatrick. 1953. Low protein rations for the bobwhite quail. Poult. Sci. 32:945–949.
Blake and Hess: PROTEIN FOR BOBWHITE QUAIL 5. Scott, M. L., E. R. Holm, and R. E. Reynolds. 1963. Studies on the protein and methionine requirements of young bobwhite quail and ringnecked pheasants. Poult. Sci. 42:676–680. 6. NRC. 1994. Nutrients Requirements of Poultry. 9th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC. 7. Petersime Incubator Co., Gettysburg, OH. 8. Data were subjected to a one-way ANOVA and means were separated by Tukey’s honestly significant difference procedure at P = 0.05 using JMP software (JMP, The
515
Statistical Discovery Software, version 5.1.2, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Analyses of percentages were performed following transformation using arcsine of their square root. 9. Serafin, J. A. 1977. Studies on the protein and sulfur amino acid requirements of young bobwhite quail. Poult. Sci. 56:577–585. 10. Serafin, J. A. 1982. Influence of protein level and supplemental methionine in practical rations for young endangered masked bobwhite quail. Poult. Sci. 61:988–990.
Changes in protein level for bobwhite quail J. P. Blake1 and J. B. Hess Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 Primary Audience: Nutritionists, Researchers, Producers SUMMARY Limited information exists concerning the dietary requirements of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), and producers who rear this species for sport shooting and stocking could benefit from such information. In this experiment, 576 two-week-old bobwhite quail were divided among 6 treatment groups and randomized into 8 replications with 12 birds/replicate. A 26, 24, or 22% CP diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) was fed to 4 or 6 wk of age, followed by the introduction of a 20% CP diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) fed through 8 wk of age. Birds and feed were weighed on a biweekly basis. No differences were observed in BW or gain of birds fed the 3 CP regimens from 2 wk until introduced to a 20% CP diet. Feed consumption was significantly decreased in the 22% CP group that was introduced to the lower CP diet (20%) after 2 wk. Although this treatment exhibited a marginally low protein intake as compared with the other treatments, growth performance remained uncompromised. Period FCR appeared to be unaffected by dietary CP regimen, but overall FCR for the 8-wk period was highest for birds on the 26% CP regimen (3.824), whereas the 22% CP regimen was intermediate (3.768), and the 24% CP regimen provided the best FCR (3.639). Therefore, bobwhite quail appear to be unaffected by major dietary changes in protein level and a 26% CP diet may provide adequate nutrition for the 0- to 2-wk starting period, followed by a 24% CP diet for a 2- to 4-wk period, and a 20% CP diet thereafter. Key words: bobwhite quail, protein, methionine 2013 J. Appl. Poult. Res. 22:511–515 http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/japr.2013-00727
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM Commercial production of Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) serves as a primary source to meet the needs of the shooting preserve community and provides a supply of birds to replenish wild managed areas. Although commercial production has continually increased, limited information exists concerning the nutritional requirements for the confined rearing of bobwhite quail. Some of the early studies have investigated protein and amino acid requirements of the bobwhite quail 1
Corresponding author: [email protected]
and have stated a relatively high requirement for protein (28%) [1–3]. Lower protein requirements (20–26%) have also been reported when practical corn-soybean meal diets were fed [4, 5]. Although a summarization of research results for bobwhite quail exists [6], there is still a lack of information concerning their nutrient requirements. Due to increases in feed costs, it is of interest to investigate the use of lower protein levels that will support the commercial production of the bobwhite quail without contributing to a loss in growth or development.
JAPR: Research Report
512
MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 690 one-day-old bobwhite quail chicks of mixed sex were hatched from eggs obtained from a breeder flock housed at the Auburn University Poultry Science Research Unit and floor reared in temperature-controllable chambers (8 × 8 × 8 ft; 2.44 × 2.44 × 2.44 m) having an L:D cycle of 16:8 h. A total of 115 birds were assigned to each of 6 chambers and were brooded at 95 and 90°F during wk 1 and 2, respectively, where temperature was monitored and maintained within ±1°F of target for each chamber. A 26% CP diet (Table 1), in accordance with NRC [6], was fed during this 2-wk starting period. At 2 wk of age, 576 healthy, viable birds were reassigned and randomly allocated among 6 treatments and randomized among 8 replica-
tions with 12 birds/pen (Table 2). Birds were housed in Petersime batteries [7] within a temperature-controlled room having an L:D cycle of 16:8 h. Extra birds were removed from the study and reared elsewhere. A 26, 24, or 22% CP mash diet was fed to 4 or 6 wk of age followed by the introduction of a 20% CP mash diet fed through 8 wk of age (Table 1). Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the 8-wk experimental period. Body weight was recorded initially and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk of age to determine BW gain. Mortalities were weighed and recorded before disposal. Feed consumption was calculated by the difference in feed offered and feed remaining on a pen basis at biweekly intervals. Mortality-corrected FCR was determined as the ratio of the FC divided by the pen weight plus BW of mortality during each period. Statistical analysis was conducted using JMP soft-
Table 1. Composition of the experimental diets Dietary CP (%) Item Ingredient (%) Ground yellow corn Soybean meal (48% CP) Poultry by-product meal (60% CP) Rice mill feed Poultry oil Limestone Dicalcium phosphate (18.5% P; 24% Ca) Salt dl-Met (99.9%) l-Lys (98.0%) Vitamin premix1 Trace mineral premix2 Total Calculated composition (%) CP ME (kcal/kg) ME (kcal/lb) Ca Nonphytate P Met Met + Cys Lys 1
26
24
22
20
50.65 34.25 9.00 2.90 — 1.02 0.93 0.31 0.19 — 0.50 0.25 100.00
53.96 29.30 9.00 4.50 — 1.01 0.97 0.31 0.17 0.03 0.50 0.25 100.00
57.20 25.58 8.00 5.79 — 1.04 1.09 0.32 0.16 0.07 0.50 0.25 100.00
59.87 26.86 3.18 6.79 0.08 1.03 0.96 0.37 0.11 — 0.50 0.25 100.00
26.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.90 0.45 0.62 1.00 1.40
24.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.90 0.45 0.57 0.92 1.29
22.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.90 0.45 0.53 0.85 1.19
20.00 2,812.00 1,275.00 0.70 0.35 0.45 0.75 1.05
Supplied the following per kilogram of complete feed: 8,000 IU of vitamin A (vitamin A acetate); 2,000 IU of vitamin D (cholecalciferol); 8 IU of vitamin E (dl-α tocopheryl acetate); 2 mg of menadione (menadione sodium bisulfite complex); 5.5 mg of riboflavin (riboflavin); 13 mg of pantothenic acid (d-calcium pantothenate); 36 mg of niacin (niacinamide); 500 mg of choline (choline chloride); 0.02 mg of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin); 5 mg of folacin (folic acid); 1 mg of thiamine (thiamine mononitrate); 2.2 mg of pyridoxine (pyridoxine hydrochloride); 0.05 mg of biotin (d-biotin); and 125 mg of ethoxyquin. 2 Supplied the following per kilogram of complete feed: 125 mg of manganese (manganous oxide); 1 mg of iodine (ethylene diamine dihydriodide); 55 mg of iron (iron carbonate); 6 mg of copper (copper oxide); 55 mg of zinc (zinc oxide); and 0.3 mg of selenium (sodium selenite).
Blake and Hess: PROTEIN FOR BOBWHITE QUAIL Table 2. Assignment of dietary treatments Treatment (CP level–wk of age) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6
Diet CP (%)
Feeding period1 (wk)
26 26 24 24 22 22
2–4 2–6 2–4 2–6 2–4 2–6
1
Birds were fed a 26% CP diet from 0 to 2 wk before initiation of the experiment. Birds were then placed on a 20% CP diet at 4 or 6 wk of age until experiment termination at 8 wk of age.
ware [8]. Bird transport, housing, and handling procedures before and during experimentation were in accordance with guidelines of Auburn University’s Animal Care and Use Committee.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION No differences were observed in BW of birds subjected to the 3 CP regimens initiated at 2 wk of age, continuing until 4 or 6 wk of age, and followed by a 20% CP diet (Table 3). Period BW gains exhibited no distinct patterns based on protein level as well. Feed consumption (FC) was significantly (P = 0.017) decreased during the 4 to 6 wk period in the group fed a 22% CP diet at 2 wk of age when a 20% CP diet was introduced at 4 wk. This same group exhibited the highest FC (193.5 g/bird) during the 6 to 8 wk period that followed, but this increase was not significant (P = 0.060) when compared with the other CP regimens. This treatment (22% CP diet from wk 2–4) exhibited a marginally low protein intake as compared with the other treatments, yet growth performance remained uncompromised. Period FCR appeared to be unaffected by dietary CP regimen (Table 3). Overall, FCR for the 8-wk period indicated a higher FCR (P = 0.025) for birds retained on the higher CP regimen (26%), whereas the 22% CP regimen was intermediate, and the 24% CP regimen provided the best FCR (Table 3). Overall, treatment averages for FCR for the 26, 22, and 24% CP regimens were 3.824, 3.768, and 3.639, respectively. The increased FC and higher FCR for the 26% CP regimens may be associated with the need for increased energy intake (a higher level
513
of dietary ME) to offset the higher CP intake [6]. Mortality was negligible during the course of this experiment (data not shown), averaging less than 1% among treatments for the 8-wk experimental period. Previously, it was indicated that feeding a 28% CP diet for the first 6 wk of age and a 20% CP diet thereafter resulted in maximum BW gain in bobwhite quail reared to 9 wk of age [3]. It must be noted that these diets were not supplemented with synthetic amino acids, whereas CP levels for bobwhite quail can be reduced to 20 to 26% when a practical corn-soybean meal diet is supplemented with amino acids [4, 5]. However, in that research, lower protein levels were introduced at the initiation of the experiments and not staged in as in the current study. The reduction of CP levels over time provides a logical approach to meeting reduced CP requirements as the bird ages. Based on the present results, a 26% CP diet may provide adequate nutrition for the 0- to 2-wk starting period, followed by a 24% CP diet for an additional 2- to 4-wk period, and a 20% CP diet from 6 wk of age. A reduction to a 24% CP diet after the first 2 wk is possible when Met supplementation is included as an essential component of diet formulation. Therefore, bobwhite quail can perform as well on lower dietary CP that meets recognized amino acid requirements through proper supplementation (i.e., Met). This assumption agrees with that of Serafin [9, 10], in that supplemental Met significantly improves the growth rate of bobwhite quail and a 26% CP diet is sufficient when supplemented with Met. Bobwhite quail appeared to be unaffected by major dietary changes in CP level under the conditions of this study and when maintained in a healthy environment. Additional studies determining an appropriate dietary CP-to-ME ratio for bobwhite quail may provide greater insight concerning the requirements for these nutrients.
CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. A 26% CP diet may prove adequate for the 0- to 2-wk starting period, followed by a 24% CP diet for an additional 2- to 4-wk period, and a 20% CP diet thereafter.
JAPR: Research Report
514
Table 3. Body weight, feed consumption, and FE for bobwhite quail fed varying dietary CP regimens Treatment1 (CP level–wk of age)
Week 2
4
6
8
2
BW (g) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value BW gain3 (g/bird) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value Feed consumption3 (FC; g/bird) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value Feed conversion3 (FC:BW) 26–4 26–6 24–4 24–6 22–4 22–6 Pooled SEM P-value
35.7 35.4 35.2 34.5 35.6 35.0 0.59 0.730
80.7 80.4 80.9 76.7 79.2 77.9 1.04 0.058
123.8 124.4 123.8 123.9 119.5 123.2 1.45 0.193
158.6 158.5 157.0 158.6 156.9 157.3 1.48 0.904
45.0 45.0 45.2 42.3 43.7 42.8 1.05 0.236
43.7 44.0 44.1 45.9 41.3 45.4 1.14 0.102
36.1 35.3 33.8 34.7 35.4 34.1 1.03 0.598
123.0 124.3 123.1 122.9 120.5 122.3 1.76 0.755
114.7ab 117.6a 109.6ab 104.1b 107.3ab 108.9ab 2.77 0.016
163.0ab 171.5a 157.0ab 160.7ab 150.5b 162.4ab 3.92 0.017
192.5 184.9 180.2 186.3 193.5 188.7 3.17 0.060
475.3a 473.9a 446.8b 449.7b 451.4b 462.6ab 7.37 0.038
2.555 2.614 2.425 2.467 2.459 2.545 0.051 0.104
3.785 3.902 3.566 3.523 3.650 3.593 0.103 0.114
5.692 5.250 5.339 5.482 5.487 5.560 0.118 0.187
3.834a 3.813a 3.583b 3.694ab 3.750ab 3.786ab 0.053 0.025
a,b
Values within a column with unlike superscripts differ significantly (P < 0.05). Birds were fed a 26% CP diet from 0 to 2 wk of age and then reassigned to a 26, 24, or 22% CP diet from 4 or 6 wk of age. Birds were placed on a 20% CP diet at 4 or 6 wk of age until experiment termination at 8 wk of age. 2 Initial mean BW at hatch were 6.73, 6.65, 6.53, 6.81, 6.44, and 6.70 g/bird for 115 birds placed in each of 6 chambers. 3 Measured between wk 2 and 4, 4 and 6, 6 and 8, and 2 and 8, respectively. 1
2. Bobwhite quail appeared to be unaffected by major dietary changes in protein level, but, to accommodate a reduction in dietary CP, Met supplementation becomes an integral component of diet formulation.
REFERENCES AND NOTES 1. Nestler, R. B., W. W. Bailey, and H. E. McClure. 1942. Protein requirements of bobwhite quail chicks for sur-
vival, growth, and efficiency of feed utilization. J. Wildl. Manage. 6:185–193. 2. Baldini, J. T., R. E. Roberts, and C. M. Kirkpatrick. 1950. A study of the protein requirements of bobwhite quail reared in confinement in battery brooders to eight weeks of age. Poult. Sci. 29:161–166. 3. Andrews, T. L., R. H. Harms, and H. R. Wilson. 1973. Protein requirement of the bobwhite chick. Poult. Sci. 52:2199–2201. 4. Baldini, J. T., R. E. Roberts, and C. M. Kirkpatrick. 1953. Low protein rations for the bobwhite quail. Poult. Sci. 32:945–949.
Blake and Hess: PROTEIN FOR BOBWHITE QUAIL 5. Scott, M. L., E. R. Holm, and R. E. Reynolds. 1963. Studies on the protein and methionine requirements of young bobwhite quail and ringnecked pheasants. Poult. Sci. 42:676–680. 6. NRC. 1994. Nutrients Requirements of Poultry. 9th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC. 7. Petersime Incubator Co., Gettysburg, OH. 8. Data were subjected to a one-way ANOVA and means were separated by Tukey’s honestly significant difference procedure at P = 0.05 using JMP software (JMP, The
515
Statistical Discovery Software, version 5.1.2, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Analyses of percentages were performed following transformation using arcsine of their square root. 9. Serafin, J. A. 1977. Studies on the protein and sulfur amino acid requirements of young bobwhite quail. Poult. Sci. 56:577–585. 10. Serafin, J. A. 1982. Influence of protein level and supplemental methionine in practical rations for young endangered masked bobwhite quail. Poult. Sci. 61:988–990.