Protein level in the ration of quails is considered as an important factor for the efficient growth. But recent studies have shown that besides the protein level, the amino acid profile of feed is more important The present study was conducted to Investigate the optimum dietary protein levels by providing adequate amounts of lysine, methionine, according to the requirements on the performance of quails

Three hundred day old quails were randomly divided into five groups of 60 quails each. Then each group was further subdivided into three replicates of 20 quails each .Five rations A, B, C, D and E containing 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26% protein respectively with Constant Metaholisable energy 2900 Kcal/Kg ration were prepared.

The average total weight gain of chicks fed on experimental rations A, B, C, D and E was 133.89, 133.37, 132.49, 131.73 and 131.49 gms. espectively Apparentlyo the chicks fed on ration A containing 22 percent protein gained more weight. Non-significant difference among weight gain of chicks fed on experimental rations containing various protein levels was observed. The average total feed consumption per chick on experimental rations A, B, C, D and E was 403.04. 395.92, 392.39, 386.81 and 382.38 gms. respectively. The total feed consumption of the chicks fed on ration A containing 22 percent protein was highest. When data was subjected to statistical analysis non-significant difference was noticed among feed consumption of the chicks fed on different experimental rations. The average commulative feed eHicienc on experimental rations A, B, C, D and E was 3.01, 2.97, 2.96. 2.94 and 2.90 respectively. The chicks fed on ration E containing 26 percent protein consumed less feed per unit weight gain as compared to other experimental rations. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant difference among feed efficiency of the chicks fed on experimental rations containing different levels of protein. The averige values of dressing percentage of birds fed on rations A, B, C, D and E respectively were 70.35, 70.17, 69.90, 68.34 and 68.24 respectively The dressing percentage of chicks fed on ration A containing 22% protein was highest. Non-significant differ ence was noticed among dressing percentage on five protein levels. Results also showed that. dressing percentage of females was comparatively higher than males. The cost. per 100 grams of live weight excluding the cost of day old chicks for the rations A, B, C, D and E were Rs 2.30, 2.29, 2.33, 2.36 and 2.40.

The results of the present study indicated that Japanese quails can be reared efficiently and economically on ration containing 23% protein and 2900 Kcal/Kg M.E under local conditions with better weight gain and feed efficiency.