Journal of Central European Agriculture (May 2006)
INFLUENCE OF SUBSTITUTION OF COCOON MEAL (BOMBYX MORI L.) FOR MEAT MEAL IN FORAGE MIXTURES ON JAPANESE QUAILS GROWTH
Abstract
A study is carried out with two groups of japanese quails in order to check the possibility to substitute cocoon meal (B.mori L.) for meat meal as well as to evaluate a growth potential in these conditions. The forage mixture of control group contains 7% meat meal. The experimental forage mixture contains 7% cocoon meal and has equal nutritive value. The substitution of meat meal with the cocoon meal in quails food results in better growth development during first days of their life. Both sexes have higher body weight - 11.1%; 8.7% and 9.8% respectively in 7th, 14th and 21 day of life. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the period from 0 to 35th day as well as the fi nal body weight of birds in two groups is equal. The cocoon meal can be the suitable constitutor in starter forage mixture for quails guaranteed equivalent growth and FCR.