EFFECTS OF MEDITERRANEAN CUTTLEFISH {SEPIA OFFICINALIS) BONE AS AN ALTERNATIVE CALCIUM SOURCE ON EGG PRODUCTION, EGG QUALITY AND SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS IN LAYING QUAILS

At present, ground limestone is one of the common calcium (Ca) sources for laying hens. This research aims to find out the performance and egg quality characteristics of quails fed with diets containing different percentages of substitution of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) bone (CFB) as a waste of water product, instead of limestone on dry matter basis. One hundred and forty-four Japanese quails (Coturnixcoturnix japonica) aged 8 weeks were randomly separated into one control and two treatment groups. Each group was divided into six replicates, each containing eight quails. The experimental diets of the first and second treatment groups consisted of two levels of CFB (50 and 100% respectively) instead of limestone. All group rations were devised to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Throughout the experimental period (8 weeks), feed and water were given ad libitum. The feed efficiency (kg of feed per dozen egg) of the treatment groups was positively affected by CFB (p