Effect of feeding different levels and sources of sunflower meal on the performance of quail broilers

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of inclusion of expeller processed (SSM-A) and solvent extracted (SSM-B) sunflower seed meal in broiler quail diets from 1–35 d of age. The dictmy treatments consisted of a control with soybean meal (SBM) as a plant protein supplement and eight test diets in which SBM protein was replaced by SSM-A and SSM-B each at four inclusion levels of 7.5. 15. 22.5 and 30 percent by weight. The rations were formulated to be nearly iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric. The results indicated that body weight gain, feed efficiency and protein utilization efficiency decreased significantly with increase in the level of SSM-A to 15 percent and SSM-B to 22.5% in the diet. No differences were found in feed intake, mortality, dressing percent and organs (liver, spleen, gizzard) weights, Abdominal fat content was lower at higher level of SSM inclusion.