Inclusion of kaolin in the feed of Japanese quails during the production phase

Abstract

Background: Kaolin may improve quail performance by maintaining intestinal integrity and improving nutrient absorption. Objective: To evaluate the overall performance, egg quality, moisture, nitrogen and calcium content in the excreta, intestinal morphology and financial analysis of kaolin in Japanese quail feed during the production phase. Methods: A total of 192 Japanese quails, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six repetitions with eight birds each, were used. Kaolin levels added to the diet were 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5%. Results: Kaolin reduced feed consumption. Additionally, egg production, feed conversion and viability increased. Moisture, nitrogen and calcium in the excreta decreased. Height and width of the intestinal villi increased with increasing levels of kaolin in the diet. Kaolin had no effect on egg quality. Inclusion level of 1.5% kaolin allowed for greater economic gains. Conclusion: Kaolin improved performance, intestinal morphology, and reduced the moisture, nitrogen and calcium contents in the excreta. Egg quality remained unchanged with the addition of kaolin, and the best economic response resulted with the addition 1.5% kaolin.

Inclusion of kaolin in the diet of brown egg layers at the end of the production cycle

“…When good intestinal health is maintained, the nutritional requirement is less; therefore, a lower supply of nutrients reflects less consumption. Concomitantly with the presence of kaolin, the nutrients present in the diet will be better utilized, either by the higher absorptive rates induced by the greater integrity of the villi, or by the ability of the clay to increase the enzymatic activity of gastrointestinal secretion by increasing the digestion of the substrate (SOUZA et al, 2019;AYDIN et al, 2020). KIM et al (2011), also observed a reduction ------------------------------------------- of the feed intake with a quadratic effect in laying hens in feed conversion, although with a much lower kaolin content (0.2% of inclusion in the feed) than those used in the present study.…”

“…The inclusion of clays as diet additives can affect the processes of digestion and nutrient absorption, promoting a longer feed retention time allowing for greater digestion and absorption, thereby influencing the performance of farm animals (SOUZA et al, 2019).…”

Effect of L-Carnitine and/or Calf Thymus Gland Extract Supplementation on Immunity, Antioxidant, Duodenal Histomorphometric, Growth, and Economic Performance of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

“…On the other hand, micronized wheat fiber can be utilized as a feed additive in quail diets to increase performance, intestinal bacterial counts, and small intestine shape [63]. In addition, Kaolin inclusion in the feed resulted in a positive effect in quail performance and intestinal morphology [64]. These changeable results may be due to variable supplemented dosage, which was not sufficient to improve duodenal histomorphological parameters.…”