TY  - JOUR
T1  - Characterization of Feeding Management Practices of Quails in
Urban Areas of Uganda
AU - Nasaka, Joelia AU - Nizeyi, John Bosco AU - Okello, Sam AU - Katongole, Constantine Bakyusa 
JO  - Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
VL  - 16
IS  - 8
SP  - 92
EP  - 100
PY  - 2017
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1680-5593
DO  - javaa.2017.92.100
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2017.92.100
KW  - Feeding practices
KW  -quail farming
KW  -quail products
KW  -Uganda
KW  -protein
KW  -consequently
AB  - The early 2010’s witnessed increased interest in quail farming in urban areas of Uganda; particularly
in regard to quail eggs which were claimed to have better health benefits compared to chicken eggs. However,
being a new venture in Uganda’s poultry industry, there is a paucity of information on quail feeding
management practices. Therefore, this study identified and characterized the feeding management practices
used in quail farming in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso Districts. A total of 90 quail farmers were interviewed
using structured questionnaires. Among, the cited quail species kept, Japanese quail (73.3%) was the most
commonly kept species and flock size was generally small (between 100 and 500 birds). Almost all the
respondents (94.4%) used commercially-mixed quail feeds as opposed to home-mixed feeds (5.6%).
The most probable non-conventional protein feed resources cited in the feeding of quails were all plant
protein sources, namely cocoyam, sweet potato, cassava, Amaranthus, <i>Brassica oleracea</i> (traditionally known
as Sukuma wiki) and <i>Hoslundia opposita</i> (locally known as Kamunye) leaves. About 13% of the respondents
continued with the starter diet beyond the recommended 4 weeks of age. Over 35% of the respondents offered
the grower diet to quail chicks while 34.5% continued with the grower diet to the laying stage. Nearly 40% of
the respondents offered the layer diets to chicks and growing quails. Thus, results of the present study
revealed the existence of some inappropriate feeding practices which may translate into inadequate dietary
nutrient supply, consequently reducing the performance of quails.
ER  -