Características de carcaça de codornas europeias alimentadas com diferentes níveis de proteína bruta

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The objective was to evaluate different crude protein (CP) levels in rations for European quais (Coturnix coturnix) on carcass yield, prime cuts, edible viscera and the chemical composition of the carcasses at 35 days of age. A total of 250 quails, mixed, from 1 to 35 days of age, were used. The adopted design was entirely random with five treatments for BW levels (21.0; 22.0; 23.0; 24.0 and 25.0%), with five repetitions of 10 birds each. At 35 days of age, the following were evaluated: live weight, absolute weight and yield of carcass and prime cuts (breast and legs) and edible viscera (heart, liver and gizzard). The chemical composition of the carcass (dry matter, moisture, crude protein, ether extract and mineral matter) was determined from the carcasses from the slaughter. There was no significant effect (P>0.05) of the different crude protein levels of the rations on slaughter weight, absolute weights, and carcass and breast yields. The crude protein levels influenced (P<0.05) in a quadratic way the absolute weights and the leg yield of the quails at 35 days of age, showing, respectively, higher values at the levels of 23.3% and 23.4% of crude protein. There was no significant effect (P>0.05) of different crude protein levels of feed on absolute and relative weights of heart and gizzard. However, a linear decreasing effect (P<0.05) was observed for absolute weight and yield of liver. Quails fed diets containing 21.0% crude protein showed better protein deposition and lower ether extract content in the carcasses. Rations with 21.0% crude protein provided satisfactory results for carcass yield, prime cuts, edible viscera and the chemical composition of the carcasses of European quails (Coturnix coturnix) at 35 days of age.

Keywords: Carcass, Quails, Crude Protein, Yield.