Laying performance and egg characteristics of Japanese quail fed rations containing different levels of Maxigrain as a feed additive

The performance, egg characteristics and lipid profile of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) fed diets containing different levels of Maxigrain as a feed additive were investigated. A total of 225 (7 weeks) old Japanese quails weighing 235-248 g at the point of lay were allotted to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized experimental design with 5 replicates of 9 birds each. Dietary treatments for the entire 56 of days the feeding trial included: T1: 0 g of Maxigrain kg-1 diet, T2: 0.5 g Maxigrain kg-1 diet, T3: 1 g Maxigrain kg-1 diet, T4: 1.5 g Maxigrain kg-1 diet and T5: 2 g Maxigrain kg-1 diet. The results  of the study showed that values for average daily feed intake, egg length, egg diameter, egg shape index, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, albumen weight, albumen height and yolk height were not affected by the treatment (P > 0.05), while dietary  treatment significantly (P < 0.05) affected the values for the average daily weight gain, egg weight, egg mass, egg yolk weight and shell thickness among the treatments with T4 and T5 having the highest values of the above variables. It was concluded that T4 and T5 treatment could be safely included in the diet for improved performance in laying quail.