Nutrient composition and physical characteristics of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggsand production performance of quail hens as affected by fresh moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves supplementation in feeds and drinking water / by Romnel B. Salazar.

Master's Thesis (Master of Science in Agriculture Major in Animal Science) Cavite State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

Graduate School (GS), Department of Animal Sciences

SALAZAR, ROMNEL B. Nutrient Composition And Physical Characteristics Of Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Eggs And Production Performance Of Quail Hens As Affected By Fresh Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) Leaves Supplementation In Feeds And Drinking Water. Master's Thesis. Master of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Science. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. May 2017. Adviser: Magdalena N. Alcantara, Ph. D.
The study was conducted to determine the effect of varying levels of supplementing fresh Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves in feed and leaf extract in drinking water of quails (Corturnix coturnix japonica), on the nutrient components and external measurements of quail eggs, and the egg production performance of quails. One hundred eighty (180) Japanese quails were used in a completely randomized design (CRD). The quails were assigned in five treatments: (1) TO (Control) — no supplementation; (2) T1- no supplementation in feed + 10% Moringa extract in drink; (3) T2 - 5% Moringa in feed + 10% Moringa extract in drink; (4) T3 - 10% Moringa ire feed + 10% Moringa extract in drink.; (5) T4 - 15% Moringa + 10% Moringa extract in drink. Each treatment was replicated three times with twelve quails per replication. Feeding of the experimental diets was conducted daily for three months. A total of 450 quail eggs were weighed, measured of its dimensions and submitted to the laboratory for analysis of crude protein, carbohydrates, total fat and cholesterol contents. The measurements and laboratory analyses were done monthly for three months. Egg production was recorded daily. Results showed similar (P>0.05) mean values for all the nutritive components (crude protein, carbohydrates, total fat and cholesterol content) in the three monthly periods of analyses and the pooled mean analysis.
For the external physical egg characteristics, cumulative average egg weights showed a significant difference in the means. Treatment 2 posted the heaviest average with 11.28 g. Egg length differences between treatments were not significant. Treatments 2 and 1 posted the longest (P>0.05) egg averages with 31.91 mm and 31.47 mm, respectively. Treatment differences in terms of egg width were significant (P<0.05). Treatments 2 and 1 registered the widest average measurements for egg width with 25.47 mm and 25.27 mm, respectively. Egg shape indices were not significant. Shape indices ranged from 0.80 to 0.81. Pooled means of quail egg production showed significant (P<0.05) differences. Treatment 2 had the highest egg production average (295.44 eggs per month per 12 hens). Similar means were observed for Treatments 0 to 3. Treatment 4 had significantly lower egg production. Highly significant mean difference (P<0.01) was observed during the first month of the egg production cycle, while significant (P<0.05) results were observed during the second and third months. The study concluded that varying levels of supplementation of fresh Moringa leaves in the feed and 10% Moringa leaf extract in the drink of quails did not affect crude protein, carbohydrates, total fat and cholesterol levels of the quail egg. However, 5% inclusion of Moringa leaves in the feed and 10% Moringa leaf extract in drinking water positively affected the quail egg weight and egg width. Further, 5% to 10% supplementation in the feed and 10% Moringa extract in the drinking water can be included in the diets of quails.

Submitted to the University Library July 02, 2018 T-7292