Performance of bobwhite quail fed different levels of protein and feed additive supplementation

Native bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) populations have declined during the previous 40 yr, and as a result, about 20 million birds are produced commercially to fulfill hunting needs. Limited information exists concerning the dietary requirements of bobwhite quail, and producers could benefit from such information. In experiment 1, a 26% protein starter diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) was fed from 7 to 21, 28, 35, or 42 d of age followed by 20% protein grower diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) introduced at the appropriate time and fed to 56 d of age. In experiment 2, a 26% protein starter diet was fed from 7 to 42 d of age where dietary treatments were control, phytase enzyme, mannan oligosaccharide, and penicillin. Afterward, a 20% grower diet containing no additives was fed from 42 to 56 d of age. In experiment 1, early growth was significantly (P < 0.05) delayed in birds fed the starter diet to 21 d of age. However, by 56 d of age, BW and FE averaged 149 g/bird and 4.51, respectively, with no differences between treatments. Therefore, bobwhite quail subjected to a decrease in protein intake are responsive to compensatory gain. In experiment 2, feed additives had no effect on improving BW gain, feed consumption, or FE under the conditions of this experiment. By 56 d of age, average BW and FE were 148 g/bird and 4.42, respectively.