Effect of feeding cashew apple waste and cashew nut shell on the performance of Japanese quail layers

Two feeding trails were conducted to evaluate cashew apple waste (CAW) and cashew nut shell (CNS) as replacement of maize in the diet of Japanese quail. Laying Japanese quails (72; 8 wk old) divided into 3 equal groups (4 replicates, 6 birds in each) were offered either a basal diet (C) or maize in C replaced at 5 (CAW₅) or 10% (CAW₁₀) for 120 days in completely randomised design. The proximate composition of CAW was comparable to maize, except for the crude fibre which was high. There was no significant effect of treatment on the egg laying parameter, except that the egg weight and cost of production were numerically higher and lower, respectively when 10% maize was replaced by CAW in the diet of laying quails.

In the 2nd trial, laying Japanese quails (72; 8 wk old) divided into 3 equal group (4 replicates, 6 birds in each) were offered either a basal diet (C) or maize in C was replaced at 5 (CNS₅) or 10% (CNS₁₀) for 60 days in completely randomised design. CNS was low in crude protein. However, the values for ether extract, crude fibre and total ash were higher than maize. Significant increase in the feed efficiency and cost of egg production and decrease in egg production was observed when 10% maize was replaced by CNS. It is suggested that CAW and CNS could replace 10 and 5% maize, respectively in the diet of Japanese quail layers without any adverse effect on their production with better economics of egg production.