Responses of European quails to graded levels of phytase in diets formulated below nutritional recommendations

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phytase supplementation in diets with reduced levels of available phosphorus, calcium, digestible amino acids, and metabolizable energy for meat-type quails on performance parameters, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphometry, and bone strength. A total of 680 European quails ( Coturnix coturnix coturnix ), from 1 to 45 days of age, were used in a completely randomized design with five treatments and eight replicates of 17 birds each. A reduced-nutrient basal diet was formulated below the nutritional recommendations by reducing available phosphorus (0.150% points), calcium (0.165% points), digestible amino acids (10%), and metabolizable energy (50 kcal/kg). The diets were supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, 1,500, or 2,000 FTU/kg of phytase. Phytase influenced weight gain, feed conversion, and carcass weight ( P < 0.05). Except for the ileal villus height, all the intestinal morphometry variables, as well as the tibia strength, were affected ( P < 0.05) by the enzyme. A supplementation level of 1,000 FTU/kg of phytase is recommended in diets with adjust available phosphorus, calcium, digestible amino acids, and metabolizable energy levels for meat-type quails.