Protease in low-protein diets for meat-type quails containing feather meal

The objective of this study was to evaluate protease supplementation in low protein diets containing feather meal (FP) on the performance and carcass yield of meat-type quails. Twenty male quails were used in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme (with and without protease x 3 FP levels (0, 5 and 10%)), totaling six treatments (Reduced diet (RD) in 8 % of the requirement of crude protein and amino acids + 0% FP; RD + 5% FP; RD + 10% FP; RD + 0% FP + protease; RD + 5% FP + protease and RD + 10% FP + protease), four replicates of 10 quails per plot, in the phases of 8-21 days and 8-35 days of age. Interaction (P <= 0.05) was observed between FP and protease levels on weight gain over the period of 8-21 days. The levels of FP influenced (P <= 0.05) the feed intake and the weight gain of 8-21 and 8-35 and the feed conversion ratio of 8-21 days. There was interaction (P <= 0.05) between protease supplementation and FP inclusion for body weight at 35 days. It is concluded that FP can be used up to 5% in diets for meat-type quails without protease supplementation.