The present study aimed to the effects of chromium (Cr) supplementation with different levels on growth performance, digestibility nutrients, carcass characteristics, some blood constituentsand economic efficiencyof the growing Japanese quail.
A total number of 450 one-day-old Japanese quail's chicks was used divided randomly into five experimental groups. Each group was distributed by 3 replicates pens containing (30 birds in each) until 6 weeks of age. The 1st group fed the basal experimental diet without supplementation (as control), while the other groups were fed on diets supplemented with 200, 400, 800, and1200 µg chromium (Cr)/kg ration as chromium picolinate (Cr pic.), respectively.
The results showed that the addition of chromium in the diets of growing Japanese quail resulted in an improvement (P<0.05) in body weight, and weight gain of group which received 1200 µg Cr/kg diet as compared to control one at the first three and six weeks of age. Moreover, at the same level addition of chromium in quail diets significantly (P≤0.05) improved the feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio and efficiency of energy utilization when compared with those fed unsupplemental diet, during the experimental periods (0-3 and 0-6 weeks of age). However, the addition up to 800 µg /kg of Cr in the diets improved significantly (P<0.05) the digestibility of organic matter and nitrogen free extract, while crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract digestibility were insignificantly affected. The results, also demonstrated that the abdominal fat decreased as the levels of chromium increased while, carcass percentage was increased. Serum total cholesterol,glucosewere significantly (P<0.05) decreased by Cr supplementation. On the other hand total lipid, total tri-glycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL %) showed the inverse trend.
The highest value of economic efficiency (EE) was obtained for quails fed on diets supplemented by Cr up to 800 µg /kg.
The results from this study demonstrate that a supplementation up to 800 µg /kg of Cr in the ration improved the growth performance, digestibility, carcass characteristics and blood constituentsof the growing Japanese quail.