Productive performance of laying quails fed diets supplemented with Morinda citrifolia (noni) leaf meal

Introduction: quail production in Latin America has experienced significant growth due to its hardiness, prolificacy, and low maintenance costs, making the rearing of these birds a competitive alternative for egg production. In this context, phytobiotics have gained relevance in the animal feed industry, as they represent a sustainable strategy to improve productive efficiency and reduce dependence on synthetic additives. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the productive performance of laying quails supplemented with Morinda citrifolia (noni) leaf meal in their diet. Method: the study was conducted over 45 days under a completely randomized design (CRD), which included four treatments, five replicates, and a total of 140 laying quails. The treatments consisted of different inclusion levels of Morinda citrifolia leaf meal: 0 % (T4), 0,5 % (T1), 1,0 % (T2), and 1,5 % (T3). Productive performance variables were evaluated, mainly laying percentage and economic profitability. Results: supplementation with Morinda citrifolia leaf meal did not exert significant effects on the productive performance of laying quails. No statistical differences were observed in laying percentage among treatments; however, week 6 showed the highest laying rate and persistence, reaching 74,40 %. In economic terms, treatment T2 (1,0 % noni leaf meal) yielded the best results, with a profitability of 45,5 % and a benefit/cost ratio of $1,45, indicating that for every dollar invested, a net gain of $0,45 was obtained. Conclusions: The inclusion of Morinda citrifolia leaf meal in the diet of laying quails did not significantly affect productive performance. Nevertheless, supplementation at 1,0 % stood out as the most profitable alternative, highlighting its potential as a phytobiotic feed additive in quail production. These findings contribute to the development of sustainable nutritional strategies in poultry farming, enhancing the competitiveness and profitability of low-cost production systems.