Turning Food Waste into Feed Value: Performance, Egg Quality, and Profitability of Japanese Quail Fed Diets Supplemented with Chicken Bone Meal

The study investigated how chicken bone meal (CBM) made from fast-food waste affects the growth performance, laying performance, egg production, egg quality, and profitability of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Converting fast-food waste into CBM provides an environmentally friendly waste management solution while serving as a mineral source for poultry feed. The study evaluated different CBM inclusion levels to determine the optimal level for quail production. A total of 60 quails were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% CBM. The experiment lasted 30 days and assessed growth performance, laying performance, egg quality, and profitability. Results showed that quails fed the control diet had the highest weight gain and best feed efficiency, while higher CBM inclusion, particularly at 6%, negatively affected growth and feed conversion. No significant differences were observed among treatments in terms of laying performance, including total egg production and daily laying rate. However, quails fed 4% CBM produced the largest eggs, although this treatment also showed the poorest feed conversion ratio for egg production. CBM supplementation improved egg quality: the 2% CBM diet produced heavier eggs, while the 4% and 6% CBM diets resulted in stronger eggshells, thicker shells, higher mineral content, and improved internal egg quality. Economic analysis showed that CBM inclusion did not reduce profitability, indicating economic viability. Overall, the study suggests that 4% CBM supplementation yields favorable production outcomes by improving egg quality while promoting efficient waste utilization.