Volume 6, Issue 5, May – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165 IJISRT21MAY048 www.ijisrt.com 18 Growth Response and Carcass Quality of Quails under Different Feeding Regime POPOOLA, Y. A. Obafemi Awolowo University, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan Abstract:- Quail is rich in protein, calcium and can be reared with little capital but there is paucity of information on the feeding regime hence this study was designed to determine the effect of different feeding regimes on growth and carcass quality etc. One hundred and twenty 2-weeks Japanese quail chicks of mean weight of 40.78±1.7g were used for the feeding trial. The study had 3 feeding regimes replicated four times in a complete randomized design (CRD). In group 1(Q1), the quails were fed once daily, group 2 (Q2) were fed twice daily while in group 3 (Q3) the quails were fed thrice, daily. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio etc. The mean total weight gain across the treatments was significantly influenced by different feeding regime (P<0.05). The feed efficiency was relatively the same in Q2 and Q3 (P>0.05). No mortality was reported across the treatments. The dressing percentage of the quails in the treatments was significantly influenced by the treatment effects (P<0.05). Flavor, texture and general acceptability of the meat were not influenced the feeding regime. It could be concluded that feeding quails twice supported improved weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass quality. Keywords:- Feed Efficiency, Feeding Regime, Protein, Quails, Weight Gain. I. INTRODUCTION The supply of animal protein is very important as the population increases. Protein is very important in growth, reproduction and day-to-day activities. Poultry is one of the major sources of animal protein and generally accepted worldwide. Chicken, duck, guinea fowl and turkey are the major classes of poultry (Omole et.al.,2013; Popoola et.al.,2020) In the recent time, attempts are being made to domesticate and popularize quails production. Quail is a small bodied bird of weight varying between 100 – 300g when fully matured. It has feathers and the female lay small size eggs of less than 15g compared to egg laying chicken of about 40 – 60g. The meat is a delicacy and highly nutritious (Babangida et. al., 2006; Dudusola, 2009). The meat contains low fat and low cholesterol hence it is a good antidote for fat related diseases such as hypertension. It is a fast growing bird that reaches maturity at 56 days. It is highly recommended for the adults because of its nutritional importance. It occupies less space compared to other classes of poultry. It eats less fed compared to others. It can be started with low capital. It has short generation interval. Quail egg provides five times as much iron and potassium as chicken eggs. It also contains more phosphorus and calcium (Dudusola, 2009; Bawa et. al., 2011). Quail production is becoming popular as and there is need to look into its feeding management for better performance in growth and reproduction hence the study was conducted to determine the effect of different feeding regime on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio etc. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS The experiment was carried out at the Quail Unit of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (I.A.R.& T.), Moor Plantation, Ibadan which is located on Longitude 0351E, Latitude 0723N and Altitude 650” lies in the humid zone of the rainforest belt 0703.25 of South-western Nigeria with mean annual rainfall of 1220 mm and mean temperature of 26C. One hundred and twenty 2-weeks Japanese quail chicks of mean weight of 40.78±1.7g were used for the feeding trial. The study had 3 feeding regimes replicated four times in a complete randomized design (CRD). In group 1(Q1), the quails were fed once per day, group 2 (Q2) they were fed twice daily while in group 3 (Q3) the quails were fed thrice daily. Gross composition of the experimental diet is shown in table 1. Data were collected on the growth performance (feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio). Total Feed intake was calculated by deducting the left over feed from a weighed quantity of feed supplied total. The birds were weighed at weekly intervals with the use of weighing balance. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated as the ratio of feed intake to weight gain. Record on mortality were also taken. The live body weight at slaughter after 16 hour of feed withdrawal was measured on day 49 (slaughter day) but the birds had free access to water during the 16 h feed withdrawal. The slaughtering of each bird was done by neck-cutting with a knife.