Development of broiler Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) feed with Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) seed: Effects on growth and blood hematology

Authors: Alynn S. M. Ayob, Zulhisyam Abdul-Kari, Suniza A. M. Sukri, Guillermo Téllez-Isaías, El-Sayed H. Eissa and Seri I. Mokhtar

Ger. J. Nat. Prod. Res. 2025. vol. 1, Iss. 1 pp:3-10
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjnpr.2025.1.0002

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Abstract:

This study was conducted to develop quail feed by substituting palm oil (PO) with different percentages of rambutan seed (RS) and to evaluate the impact on growth performance and blood hematology. The objectives were to determine the nutritional composition of RS, assess the outcomes on growth and blood parameters, and compare the costs of RS and PO. Five diets were prepared with 0% (C), 0.25% (T1), 0.5% (T2), 0.75% (T3), and 1% (T4) of RS, as a replacement for PO. Proximate analysis revealed that RS contains 26.17% lipid, 9.43% protein, 1.47% ash, and 10.38% moisture. A feeding trial was conducted on 75 quails aged 2 weeks in which the feed intake and body weight were recorded daily and weekly, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. The T4 (1% RS) feed formulation achieved the best FCR at 6.55±0.386. Hematology results indicated an active immune response, although some parameters fell outside the standard range. The RS was more cost-effective than the PO, and the T4 was the most economical. In conclusion, RS is a viable and cost-efficient alternative to PO in quail feed, significantly improving growth and hematology outcomes

Keywords:

Blood hematology, Growth performance, Japanese quail, Proximate analysis, Rambutan seed

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