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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding 0% (T1), 6% (T2), 12% (T3) and 18% (T4) of a mixture (83% dried citrus pulp (DCP) and 17% eggshell) into a sorghum-soybean meal-limestone based diet for laying quails, on production efficiency and quality of egg. Thirty-two quails were individually housed and randomly assigned (n = 8) to the four experimental diets, during the first 5 week of the laying cycle. Quail LW and feed intake were recorded weekly. Produced eggs were weighed (n = 457) and egg mass production recorded. Proportions of albumen, yolk and shell, egg yolk color, and shell thickness, were determined (n = 55/treatment). On week 5, total excreta of 24 laying quails (n = 6) were collected throughout 96 h, to determine metabolizable utilization of DM, energy, crude protein and ash. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS® software. Initial and final LW, feed intake and egg production were similar (P >0.05) among treatments. Egg mass was higher (P < 0.05) in T2 than T4. Egg weight of quails fed T1 and T2 was higher than others (P < 0.05). The eggshell of quails fed T2 was thicker (248 vs 236 µm; P < 0.05) than T1. Eggshell proportion of quails fed the mixture was higher (P < 0.05) than in T1 (11.3 vs 10.5%). Yolk proportion of T1 was higher (P < 0.05). The b* parameter was lower (P < 0.05) for T1. Metabolizable utilization of dietary DM (72.1%) and energy (68.8%) of T1 was 13% higher (P < 0.05) than T4, however protein (avg 41.4%) and ash (avg 46.7%) utilization were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. In conclusion, adding up to 12% of the mixture (83% DCP and 17% eggshell) in quail diets, resulted in similar egg production parameters, and metabolizable utilization of dietary DM, crude protein, energy and ash, however improved thickness of eggshell, compared to the control diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of adding 0 (T0), 5 (T5), and 10% (T10) moringa leaf (Moringa oleifera) meal to a soybean meal-sorghum-based diet on egg production and quality from laying quails (Coturnix japonica). Eighteen 7-wk-old laying quails, with an initial live weight (LW) of 140 ± 5 g, were individually housed and randomly assigned to the 3 treatments (TRT; n = 6). Diets were isoproteic and isoenergetic. During the first 8 wk of the laying cycle, quail LW and feed intake were recorded weekly. Produced eggs (n = 530) were identified and weighed, and egg mass production was recorded. Egg shape index was calculated as their relative width by length ratio. Egg energy and protein concentrations were measured (n = 6). Shell thickness (μm); the proportions of albumen, yolk, and shell (gravimetrically); and egg yolk color (using reflectance chroma meter) were determined (n = 60/treatment). The experiment was a completely randomized design; statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software, and mean comparisons were performed using Tukey. Average quail LW was higher for T0 (160.9 g) than for diets with moringa (average 151.9 g; P < 0.05). There was no difference among TRT in feed intake (136.37 g/wk), egg quantity (3.68 eggs/wk), or egg mass (35.55 g/wk; P > 0.05). Nevertheless, egg weight was higher for T0 (9.87 vs. 9.14 g; P < 0.05). Feed efficiency of egg production (0.240 g egg/g feed) was similar among TRT (P = 0.102). No differences were observed (P > 0.05) in egg energy (6,692 cal/g) and protein (12.28%) concentration or in the efficiency of protein (0.042; n = 144) and energy (0.102; n = 144) deposition among TRT. Egg shell was thicker (313 vs. 278 μm; P < 0.05) in T0. Egg shape index (80.0 vs. average 77.5%) and the proportion of egg shell (16.6 vs. average 15.3%) were higher in T10 (P < 0.05). The proportion of yolk (34.5%) and albumen (49.8%) were similar among TRT (P > 0.05). Eggs from T5 and T10 had higher "A" and "B" color parameter values (P < 0.001). The "L" parameter was higher (P < 0.001) for T0. In conclusion, including moringa leaf meal up to 10% in quail diets at the beginning of the laying cycle had positive effects on the pigmentation of quail egg yolk, without affecting efficiency of egg protein and energy deposition and without reducing egg production parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]