SOJA EXTRUSADA NA ALIMENTAÇÃO DE CODORNAS JAPONESAS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extruded soybean (0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30%) increasing levels in soybean meal replacement on the diet of Japanese laying quails on performance, digestibility, eggs quality, gastrointestinal tract biometry, tibia and femur bones biometry, serum biochemical profile, as well as the liver and pancreas viscera and also the specific activity of the liver and pancreatic enzymes. A total of 180 female quails of the species Coturnix coturnix japonica species with approximately 150 days of life standardized by body weight, distributed in galvanized wire measuring 38 cm long × 40 cm wide × 23 cm height were used. The design was completely randomized (CAD), with five treatments and six replicates containing six birds per replicate. The experiment lasted for 84 days, with three production cycles, with 28 days each one. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and when the F test was significant, the polynomial regression analysis was applied, at 5% probability. The use of up to 30% ES improves the feed conversion per dozen eggs and does not affect others performance characteristics, improving the ethereal extract metabolism coefficient. The egg quality is directly affected by the ES inclusion which reduces the Haugh unit, yolk and albumen index, albumin height which were negatively influenced. Eggshell quality, digestive organs biometry, bone biometrics (tibia and femur) were not influenced by the use of up to 30% ES. There was an increase in serum urea levels, showing the good functioning and health of the liver. The total proteins and lipase of the pancreas as well as the specific activity of this organ were not influenced by the use of up to 30% ES level. It is concluded that the substitution of soybean meal by extruded soybean at the 30% level in Japanese quails feed significantly reduces feed conversion per dozen eggs produced and increases the ethereal extract metabolism coefficient, reducing the Haugh unit of the eggs. However, such a reduction in quality still fits the excellence values of such evaluation.