IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science (IJAES )

E- ISSN 2489-0081
P- ISSN 2695-1894
VOL. 11 NO. 3 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijaes.vol.11.no3.2025.pg23.28

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Egg Production and Quality of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Fed Diets with Varying Levels of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) as an Energy Source

Sudik, S. D., Lawan, A., Zangina, A. M., and Maidala, A.

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Abstract

Japanese quails are valued for their rapid growth and prolific egg production. It is critical to optimize their feed with affordable ingredients to ensure health, suitability, and financial viability. This study aimed to evaluate the egg production and quality of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets with different levels of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) as an energy source. Four diet formulations were created with 0% FMM (control), 15% FMM, 30% FMM, and 45% FMM. A total of 160 eight-week-old laying quails were involved in the experiment, which utilized a completely randomized design with four replicates of 10 quails each per treatment. The diets were provided as mash at an average rate of 25 g per bird per day, with water ad libitum. It was noted that total egg production, hen-day egg production (HEDP), egg mass, and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p<0.05). Costs per kg of feed, feed consumed per egg, feed for three eggs, and cost of feed for 30 eggs were significantly higher in the control and 15% FMM diets, while 30% FMM and 45% FMM diets had lower costs. Conversely, profit from 30 eggs was greater with the 30% FMM and 45% FMM diets compared to the control and 15% FMM diets. It is concluded that finger millet can effectively replace maize in the diets of laying quails without adversely affecting egg production and quality.

keywords:

Japanese quails, finger millet, egg production, egg quality, maize

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