REPLACEMENT OF LIMESTONE FLOUR FOR EGG SHELL IN THE DIET OF JAPANESE QUAIL IN THE PERIOD FROM 40 TO 52 WEEKS OF AGE

Abstract

It was verified the substitution of limestone for egg shell in the diet of Japanese quails in the final third stage of laying. Were used 126 Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with 283 days of age, distributed in completely randomized design, consisting of three treatments (replacement of limestone for Japanese quail egg shell), six replicates and seven hen per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of: T1-100% of limestone used as the main source of calcium, T2-50% of limestone + 50% eggshell and T3-100% of egg shell. The parameters studied were: feed intake, egg production per hen day, commercial egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion by egg mass, feed conversion per dozen eggs, weight of the eggs (yolk, albumen and shell), percentage of components of eggs, calcium and phosphorus in the tibia and specific gravity. It was found significant effect of the substitution of limestone for egg shell in the diet only for the production of egg and egg production of tradables. Replacing 50% of limestone flour for egg shell keeps the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails from 40 to 52 weeks of age.