1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-glycoside of herbal origin in diets for laying Japanese quails

Resumo

The aim of the study was to evaluate supplementation with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D3-glycoside (1,25(OH)2D3) of plant origin in diets for laying Japanese quails from 36 to 45 weeks of age. It was used a randomized block design, with five treatments: 0.0; 0.25; 0.50; 0.75 and 1.00 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3 kg-1 diet; with six replicates and six birds per experimental unit. There were no significant effects (p>0.05) of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the productive traits: feed intake, egg production per day and per housed bird, commercial egg production, average egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion per dozen eggs and egg mass. The addition of 0.75 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3 kg-1 feed provided higher shell thickness and percentage ash in the eggshells (p<0.05). The weights and respective relative percentages of heart, liver, gizzard, pancreas, intestinal length and mineral excretion were not affected by the vitamin. It is concluded that the supplement 1,25(OH)2D3 kg-1 of plant origin in diets for Japanese quail does not affect productivity, excreta and biometrics of organs of the digestive system; however, improves the quality of the eggs.