<b>Protein and metabolizable energy on a meat quail line</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v34i2.12589

Abstract

This study aimed to establish the levels of crude protein and metabolizable energy for improved weight gain, body weight, feed intake and feed conversion in meat quails. A total of 540 quails were used during three experimental periods: baseline (1 to 21^st day), growth (22^nd to 35^th day) and finishing (36 to 49^th day). The treatments were a combination with five levels of crude protein (18, 20, 22, 24 and 26% CP) and three energy levels (2,700; 2,900 and 3,100 kcal kg^-1), divided into three blocks. Regression models for response surface were used as the method of statistical analysis. Feed conversion occurred in the growth phase (22^nd to 35^th day) regardless of the energy level in the diet of quails. Higher levels of energy (around 3,000 kcal kg^-1) and higher protein levels provided the best weight gain. In the baseline and growth stages, the quails did not differ in body weight according to diet CP level. However, at the finishing stage, the quails showed improved body weight for the highest levels of crude protein.