Various dietary levels of protein and energy interaction on growth performance of white plumage japanese quails

Aim: The present study was investigated to determine the optimum energy and protein requirement for growth performance and nutrient digestibility of white plumage Japanese quail during starter (1 to 3 week) and finisher (4 to 5 week) phases. Materials and Methods: Japanese quails were fed with nine diets consisting of three levels of energy (2600, 2800 and 3000; 2800, 2900 and 3000 Kcal ME/kg) and protein (23, 25 and 27; 18, 20 and 22% CP) during starter and finisher phases, respectively, in 3x3 factorial design. Results: Protein and energy individually had no influence on final body weight (FBW) and weight gain, while feed efficiency was significantly (P<0.05) increased. The protein x energy interaction had significant (P<0.05) effect on growth and nutrient utilization during both starter and finisher phases. Conclusion: The growth performance was higher (P <= 0.05)in quails fed on high protein-high energy (HP-HE) combination (27% CP and 3000 Kcal ME/kg) and medium protein-high energy (MP-HE) combination (20% CP and 3000 Kcal ME/kg) during starter and finisher phase, respectively in autumn season. The diet with 20% CP and 3000 Kcal ME/kg significantly (P<0.05) increased nutrients digestibility and major minerals (Ca&P) balance.