[Protease in low-protein diets for meat-type quails containing feather meal]

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate protease supplementation in low-protein diets containing feather meal (FP) on the performance and carcass yield of meat-type quails. Twenty male quails were used in a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 3 factorial scheme (with and without protease x 3 FP levels (0, 5 and 10%)), totaling six treatments (Reduced diet (RD) in 8 % of the requirement of crude protein and amino acids + 0% FP; RD + 5% FP; RD + 10% FP; RD + 0% FP + protease; RD + 5% FP + protease and RD + 10% FP + protease), four replicates of 10 quails per plot, in the phases of 8-21 days and 8-35 days of age. Interaction (P≤0.05) was observed between FP and protease levels on weight gain over the period of 8-21 days. The levels of FP influenced (P≤0.05) the feed intake and the weight gain of 8-21 and 8-35 and the feed conversion ratio of 8-21 days. There was interaction (P≤0.05) between protease supplementation and FP inclusion for body weight at 35 days. It is concluded that FP can be used up to 5% in diets for meat-type quails without protease supplementation.