Effects of Toasted African Nutmeg (Monodora Myristica) on the Growth Performance of Japanese Quails (Cortunix Cortunix)

A research work was carried out to evaluate the effects of toasted Monodora Myristica spice as feed additive in quail nutrition. The proximate, vitamin and mineral composition and antinutritional factors, growth performance, cut parts and organ characteristics, biochemical parameters and egg quality traits were evaluated in this study that lasted for fifteen weeks in a completely randomized design. A total of 300-day-old quail chicks were brooded for 14 days. Thereafter, they were allocated to 4 dietary treatments designated D1, D2, D3 and D4 and having 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% Monodora Myristica respectively. Each treatment was replicated 3 times at 25 quails (5 males: 20 females) per replicate. The growth performance and carcass characteristics study lasted for 8 weeks while the eggs were collected for 4 weeks. From the results, the proximate composition of the toasted Monodora Myristica revealed a crude protein (25.38%), crude fibre (6.24%), ether extract (21.54%), ash (9.40%) and NFE 37.44%. These values were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the values (15.75% CP, 9.64% CF, 28.60% EE and 8.84% ash) obtained in raw Monodora Myristica. The mineral and vitamin contents were reported to be 5.22% Calcium, 2.00% Magnesium, 0.33% Sodium, 25.26%Zinc, 14.51% iron, 240.46mg/100g Ascorbic, 0.98mg/100gThiamin and 0.14mg/100g Riboflavin. Daily feed intakes were reported to be 2.39g/b/d, 2.83g/b/d, 3.22g/b/d and 3.15g/b/d respectively for 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% Monodora Myristica-flavoured diets. There was no significant (p>0.05) increase in the daily feed intake though it increased only numerically as level of inclusion increased from 0% to 1.0% but decreased at the level above 1.0%. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the varying treatments. Average daily weight gains for the groups were 1.68g/b/d, 2.18g/b/d, 3.35g/b/d and 3.37g/b/d respectively for D1, D2, D3 and D4. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the cut parts and organ characteristics. From the results, Monodora Myristica was not observed to be detrimental to the quails with respect to the weight of organs and cut parts. Dressed weight increased as level of inclusion increased up to 1.0% but then declined afterwards to 137.69g. Liver weights were 3.55%, 2.55%, 1.79% and 1.77% respectively for D1, D2, D3 and D4. Quails fed the control diet recorded the highest liver weight (P<0.05) of 3.55% indicating stress condition. The low liver weight in quails fed Monodora-flavoured diet indicates potential of Monodora to protect the liver from free radicals that cause stress. Breast meat was significantly reduced at 1.0% and 1.5% M. myristica inclusion.