Effects of Adding Organic and Inorganic Form of Copper at Different Levels to Diets of Breeding Quail on Performance and Hatching Parameters

Abstract

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with different levels of inorganic and organic copper sources on the performance and hatchability of breeding Japanese quails. In the study, a total of 360 Japanese quails (female:male ratio, 2:1) aged 7 weeks were fed with diets supplemented with copper in inorganic (CuSO₄.5H₂O) or organic form (Cu-amino acid chelate) at levels of 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg for 5 periods of 28 days. Ten treatments consisting of two copper sources and 5 copper levels were used in a 2x5 factorial experimental plan. Each treatment had 6 replications, each replication consisting of 4 female and 2 male quails. The study lasted 140 days and feed and water were provided ad libitum to the quails throughout the experiment. According to the study results, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were lower in the group fed with organic Cu than in the group fed with inorganic Cu (P<0.05). The effect of different Cu sources on other performance parameters and hatchability characteristics was similar. The effect of dietary Cu levels on performance and hatchability characteristics was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Copper source x levels interaction had a significant effect on egg weight and chick weight of hatchability (P<0.05). Other measured performance and hatchability characteristics were not affected by the interactions.

The study results show that the use of organic Cu sources in breeder quail diets reduced feed intake and improved feed efficiency. It can be said that adding 20 mg/kg of Cu to the diet may improve performance, but it does not cause a significant difference in hatchability parameters.