ABSTRACT

Four studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of differently processed pigeon pea (Cajanus cajanus) seed meal (PPSM) with or without enzyme (vegpro(R)) supplementation on the growth and laying performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The processing methods are soaking (for 24, 48 and 72 hours), fermentation for 72 hours, boiling for 60 minutes and roasting for 30 minutes. The proximate composition and levels of anti-nutritional factors in the raw and processed pigeon pea seeds (PPS) were evaluated. In experiments 1 and 3 (chick phases), a total of 720 (one- week old) quail chicks were used. These were allocated to eight dietary treatments, with three replicates of 30 birds each in a completely randomized design. The eight dietary treatments were made up of diet 1 containing 0 % PPSM serving as the control and seven other diets that contained 30 % of differently processed pigeon pea seed meal. All diets were isonitrogenous (25 % CP).In experiments 2 and 4 (laying phases), a total of 360 and 288 quail hens respectively were used. Six week old quails from experiment 1 and 3 were allocated to eight laying treatments of 22 % CP. Three replicates of 15 and 12 birds were allocated for experiment 2 and 4 respectively. Enzyme (Vegpro (R)) was added at the level of 100 g/ton of feed except the control in experiments 2and 4. Marked reductions were observed in anti nutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitor, tannin, phytate, oxalate, saponins and cyanide with processing viii methods.In experiment 1,the final weight, weight gain, feed to gain ratio and feed cost per kg gain of birds fed the control and those fed diet 6 (PPSM soaked for 24 hours and fermented for 72 hours) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of other treatments. The feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all birds fed the PPSM diets compared to control.Age at first egg and first egg weight of birds were also significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. There was significant (P<0.05) effect of the dietary treatments on all the haematological parameters measuredexcept albumin. In the second experiment (laying phase), birds fed the control diet, diet 2 (raw PPSM), diet 3 (PPSM soaked for 24 hours) and diet 7 (boiled PPSM) had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight and percent change in body weight compared to other treatments. The feed intake of birds fed PPSM based diets were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to those on the control group. Feed conversion ratio and egg weights were significantly (P<0.05) affected across treatments. Hen housed egg production (%), hen day egg production (%) and peak egg production of birds were also significantly (P<0.05) improved. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in age at peak lay of birds, external and internal egg quality characteristics of birds across all treatments. In the third experiment,the final weight and weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed diets T1 (control), T2, T3 and T7 compared to those in other treatment groups. However, the least feed intake, feed to gain ratio and feed cost per kg gain were recorded in birds fed diets T1 (control) and diet 4. Age at first egg and first egg weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed PPSM diets with enzymes. The haematogical parameters,carcass parameters and organ weights differed (P<0.05) significantly except the carcass weight and dressing percentages across the treatments. In the fourth experiment,final weight and percent change in body weight of birds were significantly (P<0.05) different across treatments. Feed intake of birds fed PPSM diets with enzyme were ix significantly (P<0.05) better than those in the control group. No significant (P>0.05) differenceswere observed in the hen housed egg production (%), hen day egg production (%), peak egg production (%), external and internal egg quality characteristics of birds across all treatments. Therefore, it was concluded that inclusion of PPSM soaked for 24 hours, fermented,boiled for 60 minutes and the raw PPSM enhanced growth and egg laying performance of quail birds. However, enzyme supplementation of PPSM in quail diets may not be necessary. .