This study evaluated the effect of different levels of canola meal in the diet to laying Japanese quails on productive performance, egg quality and economic viability. A total of 120 80-day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with average weight 146.54 ± 12 g were evaluated during 84 days. Dietary treatments consisted of the replacement of soybean meal with canola meal at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50%. We evaluated economic viability, productive performance, internal and external quality of eggs. Data were analyzed by polynomial regression at 5%. Body weight decreased linearly as the level of canola meal increased (p = 0.0055). Egg weight (p = 0.0032) and diameter (p = 0.0398) showed a quadratic response, increasing up to 30% substitution with subsequent reduction. Yolk color increased linearly as the level of canola meal increased (p = 0.0039). Canola meal can substitute soybean meal up to 30% without impairing productive performance, egg quality and diet cost.
alternative ingredient; nutrition; performance; protein
