Effect of sources of dietary oil on the growth performance of quail

This experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of sources of dietary oils on the growth performance of the quails. A total of 48 two weeks old Japanese quail were randomly divided into four dietary treatment containing 12 birds each. Each group contained three replicates, of four quails for each replicate. The experimental groups are T1 (commercial feed diet) as a control, T2 (diet with 3% of coconut oil), T3 (diet with 3% of palm oil) and T4 (diet with 3% of soybean oil). The experiment was lasted from day 14 to day 42. The body weights, weight gain and feed consumption were recorded. Feed conversion (g feed/g gain) was calculated. The data of body weight was weighed on weekly while feed consumption records were taken daily. Weight gain was computed weekly. The economic efficiency values were calculated. The data revealed that, birds fed diets contain 3% soybean oil was recorded the highest (P<0.05) body weight, the highest growth rate affected, but feed consumption was not affected. Supplementation of 3% vegetable oils such as coconut oil, palm oil and soybean oil of Japanese quail improved the growth performance and feed efficiency of quails. The significantly heaviest body weight was noted with quails fed diet supplemented with 3% of soybean oil (P<0.05, 221.70 ± 24.86). While the significantly lowest body weight was noted with quails fed diet without supplementation of vegetable oils (P<0.05, 208.09 ± 19.06).