Desempenho de codornas japonesas alimentadas com moringa (Moringa oleífera)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of Moringa oleifera levels on the performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The experiment was divided in two cycles of 28 days each, using 120 quails, weighing 148g and approximately 25 days old, randomly distributed in four treatments (0, 2, 4 and 6%) of moringa with five replicates and five birds in each cage. The variables analyzed were feed intake (g), weight gain (g), feed conversion per mass (g / g) and per dozen (g / dz), egg production (eggs / dz / (%) and egg mass (g / bird / day). The inclusion of moringa in the diet had a quadratic effect on feed intake, which reduced to the 1.20% level and feed conversion per egg mass (g / g) (P = 0.0036), which reduced linearly by including moringa in the diets. In the second period, the quadratic effect observed in the initial mean weight (P = 0.0433) did not influence the final mean weight. The egg mass was also influenced in a quadratic way by moringa levels (P = 0.0227), increasing up to 3.07% inclusion of Moringa oleifera. The other variables did not differ (P> 0.05) between treatments. Therefore, it is recommended 3.07% inclusion of Moringa oleifera for maximum egg mass production (g / bird / day) with better feed conversion / egg mass (g / g).