Effects of Dietary Sclerocarya Birrea Caffra (Marula) Nut Meal on the Growth Performance and Viscera Macromorphometry of Broiler Japanese Quail

In sub-Saharan Africa, soybean production fails to meet soyabean meal (SBM) requirements of the poultry feed industry hence the need to search and develop alternatives for the industry. Indigenous tree seeds are potential dietary protein sources in feeds. Chemical and in vivo studies have demonstrated the potential of Marula nut meal (MNM) as a dietary protein source in broiler chicken feeds. The gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota composition of quail differ from that of chicken, thus this study evaluated MNM's potential to substitute SBM on the growth performance, feed economy, and viscera macro-morphometry of broiler Japanese quail. Two hundred 7-day old quail chicks were randomly allocated to and fed the grower and finisher diets for 4 and 2 weeks, respectively. The MNM substituted SBM on a CP basis at 0%, 25%, 50% 75% and 100% for diets 1 through to 5, respectively. Body mass and feed intake (FI) were determined. Body mass gain (BMG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FRC) were computed. On slaughter, feathers were hand-plucked, viscera dissected out and their mass and length (where relevant) and empty carcass mass determined. Dietary MNM had no effect (P > 0.05) on terminal body mass, BMG, ADG, FI and FCR and on the empty carcass mass of the quail. Relative to body mass, caeca from quail fed diet 3 were heavier (P < 0.05) compared to those from counterparts fed diet 4. Marula nut meal can replace SBM in broiler quail diets without compromising growth, feed intake and feed utilisation efficiency.