The effect of using different levels of rapeseed meal in the Coturnix quail diet 1- Economic and productive features

Abstract

This study was conducted at the College of Agriculture, Anbar University, starting 1/3/2004 to 22/6/2004, to study the effect of partial replacement of soybean meal with rapeseed meal on the economic and productive features of the quail. A total of 200 local quail aged two weeks were randomly distributed into five treatments, groups (A, B, C, D & E) with 0, 4, 8, 12 & 16% with four replicates ten birds for each replicate. No significant effect of the rapeseed meal replaced with soybean meal was found on the body weight during the first growth period (6 weeks) and during egg production period that last 3 months, 12% replacement with rapeseed meal showed (P<0.05) for body weight gain during the first growth period, whereas all treatments were increased than control treatment during the second growth period. Rapeseed meal 8% showed increase for feed consumption during the first growth period, whereas no effect during the egg production. Rapeseed meal (4 & 8%) showed a higher significant for feed conversion during the first growth period, whereas 4% replacement showed a higher significant during the egg production period. Also egg production percentage during the span of the study. Finally no significant for some economic features such as feed conversion, egg mass and hatching percentage when replacement rapeseed meal with soybean meal.