Growth Response of Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to Varying Levels of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Tuber Meal as a Replacement for Maize (Zea mays)

The study was conducted to determine the growth response of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to varying levels of cassava tuber meal as a replacement for maize. Thirty two (32) unsexed Japanese quails were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. In each of the four diets, sun-dried cassava tuber meal was used to replace maize at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels. The quails were fed one of four experimental diets over a period of 42 days (6 weeks). Result showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in feed intake between quails fed 0% (T1) and 25% (T2) and those fed 50% (T3) and 75% (T4) levels of inclusion of cassava tuber meal as a replacement for maize. However, MWFI was significantly (P<0.05) higher in (T3) 152.2±2.07) than T2 (131.94±11.24) group. No significant difference in weight gain (P>0.05) was observed between T1 and T3 groups just as there was no significant difference in weight gain between T2 and T4groups. MWWG was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 (125.60±10.96) than T2 (111.41±10.31) group. MWFCR was highest in T4 (1.58±0.23) with 75% inclusion level of cassava tuber meal and lowest in T1 (1.18±0.10) with 0% inclusion level of cassava tuber meal. It implies therefore that sun-dried cassava tuber meal can favorably replace maize at 50% level of inclusion in quail diet.