Effect of Stocking Density and Supplementation of Potato Peel (Solanum tuberosum L.) Powder and Extract on Productive Performance and Some Carcass Characteristics of Japanese Quail

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of stocking density and supplementation of potato peel (Solanum tuberosum L.) powder and extract on productive performance and some carcass characteristics of Japanese quail. A total of 810 quail chicks were used in this study. Six dietary treatments and two stocking densities were carried out as an experimental factorial design (6×2). The quails were kept in cages 100×50 cm² with (15birds/replicate), and (30 birds/replicate). Chicks were fed experimental treatments from7 to 42 days of age; as a control diet without supplementation (T1). In second and third treatments, potato peel extract was supplemented at (15& 30 ml .l˗ˡ) in drinking water;(15 & 30 g.kg˗ˡ) potato peel powder (T4, T5) in basal diet, PPE at( 15ml.l˗ˡ) + PPP at 15g.kg˗ˡ) were added to T6 respectively. Results indicated significant (p≤0.05) improvement in final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio in supplemented groups than in the control. Production index and economic efficiency are significantly better than control. Un elevation in carcass weight, relative weight of liver, heart, gizzard, thigh in all groups (except T3) as compared to control. Meanwhile, there was a significant decrease in abdominal fat (%). Superiority (P≤0.05) for low density over the high in PI, and gizzard, while higher density lowered abdominal fat. In conclusion, the supplementation of PPE at 15 ml.l˗ˡ + PPP at 15g.kg˗ˡ achieved the best performance and best economic efficiency.