Effect of Phase Feeding of Protein on Japanese Quail

An experiment was conducted to evaluate Japanese quail performance under phase feeding CP regimes during growing and laying periods. A total number of 480 unsexed day-old Japanese quail chicks were equally divided into 4 groups of 3 replicates each. Four iso-caloric starter-grower basal diets (2900 Kcal ME/Kg diet) containing 24, 22, 20 and 18% CP were formulated. Four iso-caloric layer basal diets (2900 Kcal ME/Kg diet) containing 20, 18, 16 and 14% CP were formulated. During growing period, the 1 st group of chicks fed diet containing 24% CP for overall period (one-phase feeding system) as a control group. The 2 nd group fed 2 diets containing 24 and 22% CP each for 3-wk period (two-phase feeding system). The 3 rd group fed 3 diets containing 24, 22 and 20% CP each for 2-wk period; respectively (three-phase feeding system). The 4 th group fed 4 diets containing 24, 22, 20 and 18% CP each for 1-, 2-, 2and 1-wk period; respectively (fourphase feeding system). During laying period, the 1 st group of birds fed diet containing 20% CP for overall period (one-phase feeding system) as a control group. The 2 nd group fed 2 diets containing 20 and 18% CP each for 6-wk period (two-phase feeding system). The 3 rd group fed 3 diets containing 20, 18 and 16% CP each for 4-wk period; respectively (threephase feeding system). The 4 th group fed 4 diets containing 20, 18, 16 and 14% CP each for 2-, 4-, 4and 2-wk period; respectively (four-phase feeding system). Growth performance, carcass parameters, edible giblets and lymphoid organs, intestinal microflora count, serum biochemical indexes, egg production traits, egg quality, and hatching parameters were determined. From the nutritional point of view, under the present experimental conditions, it is recommended to feed Japanese quails during growing period (0-6 wk) by following two-phase feeding system (24 followed by 22% CP). Such practice showed similar improvement in growing performance, carcass traits and liver functions to those obtained by following one-phase feeding system (24% CP). However, feeding Japanese quails by following three-phase feeding system (20 followed by 18 and then 16% CP) is recommended for the laying period (7-19 wk). Such practice showed similar improvement in laying performance, egg production traits, egg quality and hatching parameters to those obtained by following one-phase feeding system (20% CP) or two-phase feeding system (20 followed by 18% CP).