Effect of dietary levels of protein and amino acids on utilization of certain minerals in growing Japanese quail

Day-old quail chicks (n=928) were divided into 24 groups of 38–39 chicks in each. Eight dietary treatments with four levels of essential amino acids (EAA) 80, 90, 100 and 108% of NRC (1994); each with or without fish meal were formulated following 4 (amino acid levels)x2 (protein type) factorial design. The dietary protein levels were 19.4, 21.0, 22.52 and 24.06% at a constant energy level of 2900 kcal ME/kg diet. Each dietary treatment was allotted to 3 groups (replicates) from day-old. At 3^rd week of age, a metabolism trial was conducted involving all the birds to assess utilization of calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese and zinc. There was increase (P<0.01) in live weight at 3^rd wk of age. There was significant (P<0.01) increase in intake of calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese and zinc with the increased dietary protein and amino acid (AA) levels. Calcium excretion and retention increased significantly (P<0.01) with the increased dietary level of protein and amino acids. Phosphorus excretion did not alter but retention improved (P<0.01) with higher levels of amino acids. Zinc excretion increased (P<0.01) only in 108% dietary AA level, while retention improved (P<0.01) linearly with increased AA level. Excretion of copper and manganese, and retention of manganese increased with the AA levels. The results indicated that increased dietary protein and or amino acids improved intake and retention of calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese and zinc in growing quails.