This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of cashew nut meal (CNM) in diets on nutrient digestibility, bird performance and egg characteristics of Japanese quails. A total of 270 japanese quails with 17 weeks of age were weighed and distributed into a completely randomized design with six diets and nine replicates of five birds in each experimental unit. Treatments consisted of one diet without CNM (control) and five diets containing 4; 8; 12; 16 and 20% of CNM. There was a linear reduction on digestibility coefficient of DM and nitrogen. But, significant difference in relation to control diet was detected only with diet containing 20% of CNM. Values of fat digestibility, gross energy and metabolizable energy of the diets were not affected by the inclusion levels of CNM. Feed intake was not affected by the inclusion of CNM. However egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion decreased linearly as dietary CNM levels increased in diets. Percentages of albumen and yolk as well as yolk color, showed a quadratic effect as dietary CNM levels increased. Albumen percentage and yolk color increased and yolk percentage decreased as CNM increased up to the level of 9%. Comparing to control diet only treatment with 20% CNM produced lower egg production, egg weight, egg mass, yolk color and bird feed conversion. In conclusion CNM can be included in Japanese quail diets in levels up to 16%.
alternative fed; egg characteristics; feed intake
