Open Access
Research (Published online: 12-04-2021)
10. By-products of apricot processing in quail feed: Effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat physicochemical quality
Fatma Boubekeur, Rafik Arbouche, Yasmine Arbouche and Fodil Arbouche
Veterinary World, 14(4): 878-883

Fatma Boubekeur: Department of Agronomy Science, Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Chadli Bendjedid El TARF 36000 Algeria.
Rafik Arbouche: Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Ghardaia, Ghardaia 47000 Algeria.
Yasmine Arbouche: Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Sétif 1, El Bez, Sétif 19000, Algeria.
Fodil Arbouche: Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Life and Earth Sciences, University of Ghardaia, Ghardaia 47000 Algeria.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2021.878-883

Share this article on [Facebook] [LinkedIn]

Article history: Received: 27-11-2020, Accepted: 23-02-2021, Published online: 12-04-2021

Corresponding author: Fodil Arbouche

E-mail: arbouchefodil@yahoo.fr

Citation: Boubekeur F, Arbouche R, Arbouche Y, Arbouche F (2021) By-products of apricot processing in quail feed: Effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat physicochemical quality, Veterinary World, 14(4): 878-883.
Abstract

Background and Aim: The rearing of quails can have a stronger attraction for the breeders if we lower the cost prices by introducing by-products in their feed formulas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the partial substitution of soybean meal by apricot kernel cake (AKC) in the diet of quails, applied either sequentially or during all phases of rearing, on their growth performances, carcass characteristics, and meat physicochemical composition.

Materials and Methods: A total of 600 one-day-old quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with equal sex ratio and weighing on average 7±0.2 g, were randomly distributed in one control group and three experimental groups, the latter being designed according to the rate of application of AKC in either sequential or non-sequential mode in different rearing phases. Each group was divided into five replicates of 30 quails, randomly distributed according to either substitution rate of soybean meal by the AKC (0%, 10%, 20%, or 30%) or farming phase.

Results: The average daily gain from the 1st to 45th days (average daily gain1–45d) was found to be the highest (4.24 g/d/subject, p=0.021) for the 30% AKC-supplemented feed lot in either starter or finish incorporation (DFTAA), having an optimum final live weight of 193.4 g (p=0.028), a lowest feed conversion ratio of 3.08 (p=0.001), and a daily feed intake of 860 g (p=0.01). Carcass yield was recorded the highest (74.4%, p=0.02) with an optimum meat protein level (30.6%, p=0.024) and the lowest fat content (2.26%, p=0.001) for the same group as well.

Conclusion: The partial substitution of soybean meal by AKC in the quails' fattening feeding, during the finishing phase and for all rearing phases, led to a better growth performance, a better carcass yield, and an improved chemical composition of meat.

Keywords: by-products, carcass, feed, growth performance, quails.