Studies on growth performance, carcass characteristics and utilization of nutrients as affected by dietary supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides in meat type quails

D. Gujral, A.K. Shrivastav, A.V. Elangovan, A.B. Mandal
Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar - 243 122 (UP)

The effect of dietary supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), either alone or in combination on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, carcass traits and utilization of protein, calcium, phosphorus and energy was examined in broiler quails. Day-old quail chicks (n=405) were divided into 27 groups of 15 chicks in each. Nine experimental diets were prepared incorporating three levels (0, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg diet) each of MOS and FOS in a factorial treatment was offered to 3 groups (replicates) from 0 to 5 weeks of age. The results pertaining to growth performance indicated that the average weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were not influenced by the dietary treatments. However, the best results with non-significant differences were obtained in the group supplemented with 3% lactose. Carcass characteristics as measured by dressed yield, eviscerated yield, and weight of certain organs as liver, heart, gizzard spleen and bursa were not influenced by dietary treatments. However, the caecal weights were increased significantly (P< 0.05) with MOS and FOS either alone or in a combination. The utilization efficiency of protein, calcium, phosphorus and energy increased significantly (P< 0.05) with the inclusion of MOS and FOS either alone or in a combination. The best results were obtained with the combination of MOS and FOS @ 1.0 g/kg diet.

Source : IPSACON-2005

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