Feed consumption and protein efficiency by Bobwhite quail in response to dietary energy levels

Two experiments were conducted to determine if Bobwhite quail chicks would adjust feed consumption according to energy intake from hatching to five weeks of age. Three starter diets, which were calculated to contain 2850, 3010 and 3170 Kcal. M.E./Kg., were fed throughout the five-week experiments. As energy was increased, the protein level was increased proportionally. Each treatment group consisted of four replicate pens containing 125 chicks each. Body weight at two and five weeks of age was not affected by treatment, except for a reduction at two weeks for birds on the 3170 Kcal./Kg. diet. There were no significant treatment effects on mortality. The feed consumed/bird/day decreased as dietary energy was increased. The calculated energy consumption/bird/day was 15.44, 15.31 and 14.79 Kcal., respectively, for the 2850, 3010 and 3170 Kcal. M.E./Kg diets during the five-week period. The energy and protein consumption per gram of body weight was slightly reduced at the high energy level indicating a more efficient use of energy and protein of the high energy diet. These data indicate that the Bobwhite quail adjusts feed intake according to the energy content of the diet.