GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MORTALITY OF JAPANESE QUAIL IN LOCAL FARM AT CHITTAGONG

Abstract

Under consideration of the demand of poultry meat now-a-days in Bangladesh and the profitability of quail farming, the study was conducted with a view to learn the management practices and productive performance of Japanese quail in a farm at Rangamati, Chittagong. To observe the management & growth performance of one batch of Japanese quail from setting of eggs for incubation, hatching to marketing age (0-6 wks) under cage ( wire floor) rearing system, the study was conducted for a period of total 09 weeks from 10th November 2014 to 18th January 2015. The works were done with 570 quail chicks separately reared in two sheds. The chicks were hatched in the own hatchery of farm. The hatchability rate was 71.25%.The feeding system was ad-libitum basis. The birds were reared for 6 wks (marketing age) and were sold when the weight of 110-125gm was acquired. The result of the study showed that the feed intake of birds were 2.45, 7.5, 10.4, 16, 18 & 22g in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th weeks respectively. The average weight gain was 125gm at 6 wks with an average feed conversion ratio of 4.42:1. Mortality was determined 2.57%. Cost benefit ratio was determined 1.79.