Harina de Lombriz roja Californiana (Eisenia foetida) en el comportamiento productivo de Coturnix coturnix japonica.

Abstract

The present research aimed to evaluate the impact of the inclusion of Californian red worm meal (Eisenia foetida) on the productivity of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) during the laying stage. The experiment was conducted with 100 5-week-old quails at the Eloy Alfaro Lay University in Manabí, using a completely randomized experimental design with five different red worm meal inclusion treatments (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%) and four replications. Variables such as feed conversion, laying percentage, egg moisture percentage, egg weight and mass, number of eggs, and egg diameter were measured. The results showed that the inclusion of worm meal improved feed conversion, with treatments T2 = (4% red worm meal) and T3 = (8% red worm meal) standing out for greater feed use efficiency. An increase in laying percentage and egg weight and mass was also observed, especially in the T3 and T4 treatments (8% and 12% red worm meal, respectively). Although no significant differences were found in egg diameter, the inclusion of Californian red worm meal in the diet of Japanese quail improves several productive parameters, such as feed conversion and egg yield, suggesting its potential as a nutritional supplement.