Back S. Chantsavang, P. Piafupoa and O. Triwutanon
Department of Animal Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Full Paper (PDF File: 157KB)
Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the effects of EM supplied in drinking water and feed on growth, egg production and waste characteristics of Japanese quail. The effect of EM on the growth of 1,000 day-old quail was assessed using a completely randomized design with four treatments: a control; EM added in drinking water at 1:5,000; EM (in the form of fermented compost or bokashi) added in feed at 1:100 (i.e., 1%) and EM added in both drinking water and feed. The effect of EM on egg production involved 400 pullet quail randomly selected from the earlier study and evaluated using the same experimental design and treatments. Results after 4 weeks showed no significant effects of EM on growth, feed efficiency and mortality rate of growing quail. For egg production, EM supplied in either drinking water or feed had no significant effect on growth, laying performance, and feed efficiency of pullet quail. However, EM had a significant effect on egg quality as noted by a darker colored yolk. Pullet quail that received EM in feed and in both feed and drinking water produced manure that was significantly reduced in malodors. Chemical analysis showed that this corresponded to a lower level of total volatile solids, which is an indicator of malodors. Manure of pullet quail that received EM in feed contained a higher level of crude protein.