Efficacy of dietary betaine on growth performance of Japanese quails fed diets containing rice gluten meal

Abstract

Abstract The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of the inclusion of rice gluten meal (RGM) at levels of 2.5 and 5% and supplementation of betaine at levels of 0.5 and 1.0 gm/kg diet on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematology, serum biochemistry and gastrointestinal tract microbiota of growing Japanese quail. A total of 375 un-sexed Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks (5 days-old) were randomly distributed to 5 experimental groups. Quails were fed a control diet and the other four diets contained 2.5 and 5% RGM with 0.5 or 1.0 gm betainesupplementation. The results showed thatquails fed diets included 5%RGM +0.5 or 1.0 gm betaine recorded the highest (P<0.05) body weight at 5 weeks of age, quails group fed diet contained 5%RGM+0.5 or 1.0 gm betaine recorded the highest (P<0.05) body weight gain at (1-5) weeks of age. Group of quails fed diet contained 5%RGM+1.0 gm betaine enhance (P<0.05) feed intake. 5%RGM +0.5 or 1.0 gm betaine groups recorded the best Feed Conversion Ratio at (1-5) weeks of age. Improved (P<0.05) digestibility of CP and EE in all treatment groups. In conclusion, the combination of RGM and betaine could maintain the growth performance, also promote of nutrients of Japanese quails.