PROTEIN EFFICIENCY IN JAPANESE QUAIL (Coturnix-coturnix Japonica) FED FERMENTED PALM KERNEL CAKE BY ( Aspergillus niger)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the efficiency of protein in quails fed fermented palm kernel cake by Aspergillus niger (FPKC). Ninety six three-weeks-old female quails were raised in 16 cages with 60 x 60 x 40 in size of each and 6 quails each. Diets were formulated by yellow corn, rice bran, soybean meal, coconut meal, fish meal, bone meal, premix, palm kernel cake and fermented palm kernel cake by Aspergillus niger. This study used a randomized block design with 4 treatments and 4 blocks as replications. The treatments were R0 = basal diet as a control diet, R1 = basal diet + 15 % FPKC, R2 = basal diet + 20 % FPKC, R3 = basal diet + 25 % FPKC. The observed variables were feed consumption, body weight gain, protein consumption and protein efficiency. The results from this study showed that quail fed fermented palm kernel cake by Aspergilus niger had no significantly different on their performance ; feed intake, body weight gain, protein consumption and protein efficiency. It can be concluded that using palm kernel cake by Aspergillus niger up to 25% in the ratio had no adverse effect on quail performance and protein efficiency.