Kasturi lime (Citrofortunella microcarpa) waste in quail diet: Effect on early laying performance and egg quality

Abstract

Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) are efficient egg producers, laying 200–300 eggs annually from 42 days of age. However, their productivity and egg quality are often compromised by Indonesia’s hot tropical climate. Kasturi lime (Citrofortunella microcarpa) waste from local beverage industries still contains bioactive compounds which may help mitigate these stressors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of kasturi lime waste powder (KLWP) in the diets of Japanese quails in the early laying phase on their production performance and egg quality. A total of 280 six-week-old female quails were assigned to four dietary treatments: 0% (K0), 2% (K1), 4% (K2), and 6% (K3) KLWP, with seven replicates of ten birds per treatment, and housed in tiered cages for 56 days. The average temperature in the cage was 28-32°C, with a relative humidity of 65-81% and a Heat Stress Index of 95±7.8. There were no differences between the treatments in terms of laying rate, feed conversion ratio, eggshell weight, and yolk index. However, a linear regression was obtained for feed intake, and a quadratic response was observed for egg mass and egg weight. After five days of storage, eggs from the KLWP group retained more weight than those from the control group. KLWP supplementation, especially at 2%, enhanced egg mass and quality without compromising bird health, supporting its potential as a sustainable feed additive.