Sheena Mae F. Amit, Diana Mae T. Calde, Nadia Patricia E. Sauza (March 2011)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Apparent digestibility coefficients (ACDs) give the relative measure of the extent to which ingested food and its nutrient components have been digested by animal. Thraustochytrids, a straminipilous organism, is widely used today due to its high production rate of DHA and other polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has been utilized as food supplement and has adequate positive effects in different animals. This study evaluated the ADCs of standard and Thraustochytrids-supplemented diets for Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail) layers. In adaptation phase (Day 1-10), a total of 30 quail layers were fed on layer mash diet in equal proportions of layer mash or with Thraustochytrids supplementation of increasing levels (1%, 2%, 3%). In the main phase, the control group was continually fed with layer mash, while the treatment group had a diet containing 3% Thraustochytrids. Proximate analysis of feeds and feces was used to determine ADC. Weight development, egg production rate, and mean egg weight were also noted in this study. Apparent moisture coefficient of the quails fed with supplemented diet was higher (p=0.02423) than that of quails fed with layer mash only, while the other coefficients have no significant difference. Independent samples t-test (a=0.05) showed that there is no significant difference in the weight development, egg production rates and mean egg weights of the Japanese quails fed with Thraustochytrids-supplemented diet and layer mash only.