Use of poultry meat in the world is increasing substantially. To meet the requirements of the consumer, increase in meat production is too much imperative. Japanese quail can be used as an alternative to broiler to increase per capita protein availability. Due to short life span, it is also gaining popularity among poultry farmers. But for optimum production, availability of energy and protein sources is cost effective. Moreover, data on energy: protein is scanty.
The present project had been planned with the objectives to examine the growth and production of the highly nutritious quail meat under local environmental conditions. To attain this goal, different energy levels were used in quail feed to examine its carcass quality, production and growth performance. For this purpose, different energy levels of 2700 k cals /kg., 2900 k cals /kg (which was control) and 3100 k cals /kg of feed, were offered to 600 day old quail chicks for 28 days. There were four replicates under each of the three groups; each replicate having 50 chicks. The birds were kept in cages throughout their life and had been offered ad libitum feed in crumbs form.
During the trial, weekly feed consumption, weight gain and FCR were determined. After the trial 5 birds from each replicate were slaughtered to examine the dressing percentage, liver weight and breast meat percentage. The data thus obtained was statistically analysed by using completely randomized design through ANOVA Technique. The difference among treatments means was tested through Least Significant Difference test.

The results of the experiment revealed that the feed consumption and body weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) higher in group containing 3100 k cals of energy per kg following the control group having 2900 k cals energy per kg while group possessing 2700 k cals was at the last in these respects. Feed conversion ratio was best seen again in high energy group following the lowest energy diet while the control group was intermediate in this respect. The higher energy group showed maximum value for dressing percentage and liver weights followed by lower energy diet and lowest energy diet. The characteristic breast meat percentage was, however, showing lowest value for highest energy diet.
Data pertaining to economics of the experiment revealed a considerably high cost of feed per kg of the group C having 3100 k cal energy per kg followed by the group A which possessed 2900 k cals per kg and group B was prepared in less amount as compared to others.
Conclusion
Use of high energy in feed increased the body weight gain.
Higher energy in feed gradually resulted in more feed intake but not up to the pace of body weight gain.
Calories, CP, calcium, methionine and lysine intakes increased with increasing energy levels while phosphorus showed a negative relationship with energy.
Feed conversion ratio was best exhibited by highest energy feed.
Dressing percentage was higher for higher energy feed while breast meat percentage was higher for lower energy feed.
More liver weight was there with increasing energy level was attributed to more burdens on liver in sense of digestion of energy rich compounds.
From the results of above experiment it is concluded that inclusion of high energy ingredients in diet has many benefits which consequently results in improved performance and ultimately higher profitability of the farm.