Laying performance of Japanese Quail <i>(Coturnix coturnix japonica)</i> supplemented with powdered leaves of Jute mallow <i>(Corchorus olitorius)</i> and Siam weeds <i>(Chromolaena odorata)</i>

Abstract The study evaluated the laying performance of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) supplemented with powdered leaves of jute mallow and siam weed. A total of 132 quails, comprising 108 ready-to-lay females and 24 males, were organized in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments, each replicated thrice, involving nine females and two males per replicate. The treatments included commercial rations with varying formulations of jute mallow and Siam weed leaf powder. Parameters measured were hen-day/hen-house egg production, average egg weight, average daily feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, body weight gain, feed cost per dozen eggs, and return above feed cost per dozen eggs. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The results showed no significant effect on average egg weight from the supplements. However, there were highly significant differences in hen-day/hen-house egg production, feed conversion efficiency, body weight gain, and return above feed cost per dozen eggs. Significant differences were also observed in average daily feed intake and feed cost per dozen eggs. Consequently, the study recommends the combination of jute mallow and Siam weed in quail rations due to its positive impact on laying performance, cost-effectiveness, local availability, and nutritional benefits for egg production.