Feasibility of Banana (Musa Acuminata Linn.) Fruit Rejects as a Dietary Supplement to Recuperate the Production Performance of Growing Japanese Quails

Quail production is becoming more popular because it may help close the gap between supply and demand in the meat and egg industry. However, one of the major problems in quail farming is the high feed cost, but this can be reduced if agricultural waste by-products are utilized as feedstuff. A feeding trial was conducted to assess the feasibility of rejected banana fruit meal (BFM) on the production performance of growing Japanese quails. A total of 120 female Japanese quails were assigned to four treatments with three replications having ten birds in every replication and carried out in a Completely Randomized Design experimental set-up. The Japanese quails were fed ad libitum with commercial ration supplemented with varying levels of BFM, 0% (T1), 5% (T2), 10% (T3), and 15% (T4), and the production performance was observed within 42 days experimental period. The result showed a significant difference (p<0.05) on the final weight, and quails fed with 5% BFM is heavier but statistically comparable to those fed without BFM. Although a significant difference was observed in the final weight, the body weight gains and feed conversion ratio were not statistically affected. Numerically, quails fed with 5% BFM improved the BWG, ADG, and FCR compared to the quails fed with 0%, 10%, and 15% BFM. In conclusion, 5% BFM disclosed a higher profit and can be incorporated in quail diets without adverse effects on the economic traits and growth performance