The objective of this experiment was to estimate the digestible lysine and metabolizable energy (ME) requirements for growing meat quails (Coturnix coturnix sp). A total of 1,680 quails from 4 to 35 days of age of both sexes were used in a complete random experimental design in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme (DL = 0.92; 1.12; 1.32 and 1.52% × ME = 2,800; 2,900; 3,000 and 3,100 kcal/kg of the ration) totaling 16 diets evaluated with 3 replications of 35 quails per experimental diet. Increase of the levels of digestible lysine in the diet linearly increased body weight, weight gain, lysine intake and breast yield and reduced water content in the cuts. When levels of metabolizable energy were increased in the diet, it was observed a linear reduction on consumption of lysine and an increase of body weight and abdominal fat yield. However, The simultaneous increase of levels of lysine and metabolizable energy in the diet linearly reduced feed intake and linearly improved feed conversion in the 4-35 day period, but it increased fat content in the cuts. The nutritional requirement of digestible lysine for maximum growth of meat quails is greater than or equal to 1.52%. The level of 2,800 kcal/kg ME in ration is sufficient to allow a good performance of the birds, however, for a better feed conversion, greater levels are needed.
body composition; performance; synthetic amino acids
