Influence of graded levels of dietary manganese on egg production and egg quality of laying quail

An experiment was conducted on 100 laying quails (aged 8 weeks) to determine optimum dietary manganese (Mn) level for egg production and egg quality traits. A maize, soybean and fish meals based quail layer basal diet having all the nutrients in required quantity (except manganese) was prepared. This basal diet, on analysis, was found to contain 27 mg Mn/kg coming naturally from feed ingredients. Four other experimental diets having 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg supplemental Mn/kg were formulated by the addition of desired levels of manganese sulphate into the basal diet. Each of such diets was offered as mash ad libitum to 20 laying quails reared in individual laying cages for a period of 15 weeks (8–23 weeks of age). Significantly (P<0.05) higher per cent egg production was observed in diet containing 27 mg Mn/kg diet than 60 and 100 mg Mn/kg diet but the groups fed 40 to 80 mg Mn/kg in diet did not differ significantly from each other. Egg weight was also significantly (P<0.05) higher in Mn unsupplemented group (27 mg Mn/kg diet) than 40 mg Mn/kg group. Cumulative feed intake (g/b) for 15 weeks feeding period was significantly (P<0.05) higher in 27 and 100 mg Mn/kg group than other groups. FCR (feed intake/egg mass) and net FCR were significantly (P<0.05) poorer in 100 mg Mn/kg group than other groups. Shell thickness was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed 60 mg Mn/kg diet than 40 and 80 mg Mn/kg diet whereas, groups fed 27, 60 and 100 mg Mn/kg diet did not differ significantly from each other. Shell weight on per cent of egg weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in diet fed 27 mg Mn/kg than other dietary groups. The results of present study on egg production performance of laying quails indicated that a dietary level of 27 mg Mn/kg coming naturally in diet from common feedstuffs is sufficient to support the optimum egg production performance of laying quails under tropical climate and there is no need to supplement the diet with additional manganese.