ABSTRACT
An investigation into the replacement value of tiger nut seed meal as substitute for maize in diets
of Japanese quail was studied. Four different diets were formulated such that tiger nut replaced
maize at 0% (T;), 25% (T»), 50% (Ts) and 75% (Ta) respectively in a Completely Randomized
Design. The control diet (T) contained no tiger nut. One hundred and twenty day-old Japanese
quails procured from the University Teaching and Research farm was used for the experiment to
determine the effect of the test diets on dietary proximate compositions, feed intake, weight gain,
body weight changes, Feed Conversion Ratio, carcass cut parts and organ proportions in a 49-
days trial. The quail chicks were arranged into the 4 dietary treatments, each containing 3
replicates with 30 birds per dietary treatment and 10 birds per replicate. Result indicated that the
control diet did not vary from the test diets in proximate composition. The crude fat, crude fiber
and metabolizable energy portrayed an increasing trend whereas, the crude protein, ash and
nitrogen free extract portrayed a decreasing trend as the level of tiger nut increased. Significant
differences were observed in the weekly values of daily feed intake, daily weight gain, body
weight changes and Feed Conversion Ratios of the dietary treatments. However, based on
average values, the average daily intake, average body weight changes and average Feed
Conversion Ratio did not vary among the dietary treatments, which suggest that tiger nut did not
produce adverse effect up to the 75% levels. Average body weight changes increased (97.90 g -
114.17 g) as the level of tiger nut increased, from the 25% level up to the 50% (Ts) and declined
thereafter. T» recorded the lowest FCR value (5.96) which portrays it as the best in terms of feed
conversion to lean meat. T; recorded the highest FCR value though (6.88) which implies that the
diets containing tiger nut improved FCR but, optimally at 50% level. The average daily weight
gain however, portrayed significant differences, wherein, T3 recorded the highest value (4.28
g/day), whereas, T; recorded the least value (3.34 g/day). This indicates that tiger nut depresses
weight gain at 75% level of inclusion. The result of the carcass cut parts showed that body
liveweight, drumstick, thigh, shank, wings, head size and anus varied due to the influence of the
dietary treatments, whereas, dressed weight, back, breast and neck were not affected by the
diets. Drumstick and anal weights were reduced, whereas, thigh and head size increased with an
increase in the level of tiger nut. Age, sex, alkali treatment of tiger nut and climate are factors
that probably affected the result of this study. The interaction of energy and protein levels of the
diets did not affect dressed weight contrary to some previous findings. T, performed better in
shank length (1.81%) and dressed weight (84.92%). Ts was moderate in most performances. Ta
was least in shank (1.59%) and wing weights (6.99%). The organ proportions was influenced by
the diets in liver/spleen, gizzard and intestinal weights, but showed no influence in kidney, heart
and proventriculus weights. The dressed percent was highest in T, (84.92%). The liver weight
was most significant in T, (3.50 % lwt). Gizzard size was highest in T; (4.67%) compared to the
control (3.27%) and increases with high fiber diet. The gizzard and liver weights variation were
attributed to the differences in the influence of dietary energy and protein interaction as well as
fiber digestibility. The high value of the liver in T, favoured the internal organs. Based on the
feed conversion ratio and daily weight gain, the 50% level (T3) is recommended but based on
carcass cut parts and organ proportions, the 25 % level of inclusion of tiger nut is recommended
for replacing maize. Further research should attempt levels between 25 and 50 % tiger nut
inclusion, and equally consider partitioning gender, energy and protein levels for more precise
results. Treating the raw tiger nut in order to attenuate the possible effects of anti-nutrients is also
recommended. In conclusion,tigemut can replace maize at levels that ranges at 25%
-- (2023). Performance Of Japanese Quail, (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Fed Varying Levels Of Tigernut (Cyperus Esculentus) Meal. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Nov 18, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-of-japanese-quail-coturnix-coturnix-japonica-fed-varying-levels-of-tigernut-cyperus-esculentus-meal-7-2
--. "Performance Of Japanese Quail, (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Fed Varying Levels Of Tigernut (Cyperus Esculentus) Meal" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 12 Jul. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-of-japanese-quail-coturnix-coturnix-japonica-fed-varying-levels-of-tigernut-cyperus-esculentus-meal-7-2. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
--. "Performance Of Japanese Quail, (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Fed Varying Levels Of Tigernut (Cyperus Esculentus) Meal". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 12 Jul. 2023. Web. 18 Nov. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-of-japanese-quail-coturnix-coturnix-japonica-fed-varying-levels-of-tigernut-cyperus-esculentus-meal-7-2 >.
--. "Performance Of Japanese Quail, (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) Fed Varying Levels Of Tigernut (Cyperus Esculentus) Meal" Mouau.afribary.org (2023). Accessed 18 Nov. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/performance-of-japanese-quail-coturnix-coturnix-japonica-fed-varying-levels-of-tigernut-cyperus-esculentus-meal-7-2