EFFECT OF FASTING AT GROWER PERIOD ON PRODUCTION - PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAIL

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of fasting at grower period (3 to 6 wk of age) on production performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Three hundred and fourty female of Japanese quails at 3 wk of age were used in this experiment. The treatments were non fasting (control), skip-a-day fasting, nighttime fasting (18.00 until 06.00), and daytime fasting (06.00 until 18.00). The experiment was designed randomized completely block design, and every treatment was repeated five times. Data were collected since three until 12 wk of age. The treatments were significantly effect (P<0,01) delay of age at the onset of lay (sexual maturity) and egg production at two first week a period of laying eggs, but were not affected (P>0,05) on heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. The phenomena of compensatory in egg production was significant (P<0,01) during of one until two weeks after fasting discontinued. It is concluded that the skip-a-day fasting can be selected to improve efficiency produce in Japanese quails egg.