Effect of enzyme supplementation and wheat particle size on performance, microbial population and small intestinal acidity and litter characteristics of Japanese quails

This experiment was conducted in order to investigate the effect of dietary enzyme supplementation (DES) and wheat particle size (WPZ) on growth, microbial population and intestinal acidity and litter characteristics of Japanese quails using a 3×3 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with nine treatments each replicated 4 times with 20 quails per replicate. The experimental factors included three WPZ [2, 3 and 3/5 mm] and three levels of DES [Rovabio enzyme at 0, 200 and 400 ppm]. Through the whole experimental period, groups of birds received diets with 2 and 3 mm WPZ+400 ppm of DES showed significantly reduced feed intake compared to the groups with 3.5 mm WPZ without and with 200 ppm DES (p<0.01). Birds received diets with 2 and 3 mm WPZ+400 ppm of DES also showed better feed conversion ratio than those fed with 3.5 mm WPZ without enzyme supplementation (p<0.01). Lactobacillus counts increased significantly in quails fed diets with 2 mm WPZ and 400 ppm of DES in comparison to 3.5 WPZ without enzyme supplementation group (p<0.01). Birds fed diets with 2, 3 and 3.5 mm WPZ+400 ppm of DES had lower litter pH than those fed wheat-based diets without enzyme supplementation (p<0.01). Treatment of 2 mm WPZ+400 ppm of DES showed less litter moisture than those with 3 and 3.5 mm WPZ without enzyme supplementation (p<0.01). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of wheat grain at 2 mm diameter particle size supplemented by 400 ppm enzyme is recommended.