Apparent Metabolizable Energy of Corn and Rice Bran for Philippine Mallard Duck

The metabolizable energy (ME) value of common feedstuffs for Philippine mallard duck (PMD) need to be established to formulate specific and balance diet for PMD.  For this, the study was conducted to determine the apparent ME expressed in classical ME (AME) and nitrogen corrected ME (AMEn) of corn and rice bran for PMD. Eight PMD were used in the energy assay using the total collection method. An improvised digestibility cage was fabricated and used in the experiment modifying the basin technique in excreta collection. The homogenous wet mash of corn and rice bran were tube-fed to the PMD twice with an interval of six hours. Excreta collection was done for 54 hours from the last scheduled tube feeding. Feed and excreta samples were sent to UPLB for protein and gross energy analyses. The experiment was carried out using the Completely Randomized Design. The calculated AME and AMEn of corn and rice bran for PMD were 3.63 and 3.61 kcal/g and 1.97 and 1.95 kcal/g, respectively. Corn tends to have a higher ME value than rice bran. The ME value of corn and rice bran for PMD is greater than the data of PHILSAN, which is the reference standard for poultry and livestock nutrient requirements in the Philippines. The result show that corn and rice bran have higher energetic value for growing PMD than book values for poultry.  PMD is efficient in utilizing the energy content of corn and rice bran as manifested by the higher ME value

Calcium and phosphorus requirements of Japanese quail layers

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the dietary calcium and phosphorus requirements of Japanese quail layers Methodology and Results: Two studies were conducted to determine the biological response of Japanese quail layers to diets containing different levels of calcium and phosphorus. A total of 540 (12 week old) and 270 (42 week old) were used. The birds were randomly assigned to six treatments consisting of three levels of Ca (2.5, 3.0 and 3.5%) and two levels of Pav (0.25 and 0.35%) following factorial completely randomized design. Each dietary treatment had three replications with 30 and 15 birds per replication for early and late production respectively. Diets were formulated using the User Friendly Feed Formulation (UFFF) software. Calcium source was 50% ground limestone and 50% oyster shell (1.5 mm), both in particulate form. Monodicalcium phosphate was the source of phosphorus. Quails in the early lay period attained optimal egg production, feed conversion, and egg mass on a diet containing 3.0% Ca with 0.25% Pav; Comparable values was attained in these parameters by the birds fed on a diet containing 3.5% Ca at both Pav levels. Quails on 3.5 percent Ca irrespective of Pav levels in the diet elicited higher tibia ash content. Eggshell weight was higher for diet containing 3.5% Ca with 0.25% Pav than the diet containing 3.0% Ca with 0.25Pav. In study two optimal egg production was attained with 3.5% Ca, irrespective of Pav level; birds on diet containing 2.5% Ca with 0.35% Pav was comparable with this group. The feed conversion ratio was low in diet containing 3.5% Ca with 0.35% Pav . Conclusion and application: Findings in both studies indicate that the requirement of Japanese quail layers for calcium is higher than the 2.5 percent currently practiced in feed formulation when equal amount of limestone and oyster shell is used in the diet. A dietary Pav level of 0.35 percent is satisfactory for all periods, irrespective of Ca supplement. The emerging quail production in Uganda and Kenya calls all feed formulators and quail producers to use this formulation as a starting point in an attempt to find the right levels of calcium and phosphorus in the diet to maximize egg production