Total methionine + cystine level for European quail from hatch to 21 days of age

The effect of total methionine + cystine level on the performance traits of European quails during the initial phase of the growth period (from hatch to 21 days of age) was evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design with six levels of total methionine + cystine (.86; .96; 1.06; 1.16;1.26;1.36), with four replicates and 15 quails per experimental unit. Body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed: weight gain ratio were evaluated. Significant quadratic effects of total methionine + cystine level on the performance traits recorded from hatch to 21 days of age were observed. Highest body weight and weight gain were estimated for quails fed 1.21% total methionoine + cystine diets, lowest feed intake was estimated for quails fed 1.36% diets and best feed: weight gain ratio was estimated for quails fed 1.1% total methionoine + cystine diet. The total methionine + cystine requirement for weight gain from hatch to 21 days of age is 1.21%.

amino acids; nutritional requirement; performance; weight gain