Carcass and Organ Characteristics of Growing Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Fed Sun-dried Mango (Mangifera spp) Kernel Meal as a Replacement for Maize
F. B. Abang *
Department of Animal Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
O. K. Oko
Department of Animal Production, College of Animal Science, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.
J. T. Yelwa
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study using complete randomized design (CRD) was carried out to assess the effect of Sun-dried Mango Kernel Meal (SMKM) on the carcass and organs characteristics of growing Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). One hundred and forty four unsexed Japanese quails of about three weeks old were randomly selected and grouped into three treatments containing SMKM that replaced maize at 0%, 25% and 50% (TI, TII and TIII respectively) in properly compounded experimental diets. Each treatment was replicated thrice with sixteen (16) quails per replicate. The results of this study showed that SMKM did not influence the terminal live weights, carcass, dressed and neck weights of quails. In terms of organ weights, it was observed that SMKM affected the lungs, heart and kidney weights significantly (P<0.05) across treatments. The relative organs weights showed significant (P<0.05) differences in heart, intestine, lungs and kidney weights but the reverse revealed with the gizzard and liver weights. However, the relative weights of drum stick, back and breast muscles were significantly (P<0.05) different across treatments. It is concluded that sun-dried mango kernel meal could replace maize up to 50% in quails’ diets, however, choice cut-part of quails were compromised.!
Keywords: Quails, mango kernel, maize, carcass and organ characteristics