Nutrient digestibility, performance, and egg quality traits of quails raised in different stocking densities and ascorbic acid supplementation in a hot, tropical environment

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of stocking density (SD) and ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on nutrient digestibilityand laying performance of quails in a tropical environment. Four hundred and eight Japanese quails were designated in a 3 × 2 factorialarrangement with four replicates. The birds were distributed to three SDs, namely 40 (SD-1), 45 (SD-2), and 50 birds per m2 (SD-3)by allotting 15, 17, and 19 birds per cage, respectively (cage size: 3750 cm2). Each SD was supplemented with AA (0 and 250 mg/kg).Interaction was identified between SD and AA on egg production (P < 0.01), while the highest value was yielded in SD-2 supplementedwith AA (83.6%). SD-3 achieved lower ether extract (EE) and crude fiber (CF) digestibility (P < 0.05) and eggshell thickness (P =0.01) than SD-1 or SD-2. AA supplementation enhanced dry matter (DM), EE, CF, crude ash (CA), and calcium (Ca) digestibility (P