Replacement value of cassava vinasse meal for maize on growth performance, haematological parameters and organoleptic properties of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

Two hundred and twenty eight (228) one day old quails were used to assess the suitability of cassava vinasse meal (CVM) as a replacement for maize at varying inclusion levels of 0.0%, 5.0%, 10.0% and 15.0%. The birds were fed an adequate starter diet for the first week before being randomly alloted into 4 dietary group of 3 replicate of 19 birds each. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks. The crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash, moisture, nitrogen free extract and metabolizable energy of the dehydrated cassava vinasse were 19.26%, 7.96%, 3.72%, 9.33%, 5.68% and 12.17 MJ kg-1 ME respectively. The results showed that final weight, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P <0.05) influenced as inclusion level of cassava vinasse meal increases. Significant differences were observed on the haematological parameters such as haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (P <0.05). The analyzed panelist response on organoleptic parameters showed that tenderness, juiciness and texture were significantly different (P <0.05) with birds fed 10.0% CVM having the least values. In conclusion, 10.0% CVM (21% replacement for maize) in the diet of quails had no deleterious effect on the feed conversion ratio, haematological parameters and meat acceptability. Moreover, further research could be geared towards the use of exogenous enzymes and the performance of other poultry species including broiler chicken.