Optimal standardized ileal digestible arginine to lysine ratio for Japanese quails in the egg-laying phase

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the optimal standardized ileal digestible arginine to lysine (SID ArgLys) ratio for Japanese quails in the egg-laying phase. A total of two hundred forty-five 35-week-old Japanese quails (181 ± 1.30 g initial body weight) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with seven replicates of seven quails. Graded levels of L-Arginine were added to a basal diet in order to produce five SID ArgLys ratios (101, 106, 111, 116 and 121%). Collected data were analyzed as one-way ANOVA and optimal ratio was estimated using polynomial regression model (linear and quadratic) based on performance traits. Statistical differences were considered for p<0.05. Graded SID ArgLys ratios did not affect performance traits assessed. Based on results, the SID ArgLys ratio of 101% is sufficient to warrant proper performance of Japanese quails in the egg-laying phase.