Production performance of laying Japanese quail that given citric acid as acidifier

Abstract

This research aimed to study the effect of citric acid on production performance of laying Japanese quail. One hundred of 12 weeks laying Japanese quails were divided into 4 treatments and 5 replication based on completely randomized design. The treatments were citric acid addition level, they were 0, 0,3, 0,6, and 0,9% of citric acid. This research used a self-mixing feed that contained 2800 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 17,5% crude protein. The parameters measured were feed consumption, egg weight, egg production, and feed conversion ratio. The obtained data during 4 weeks measurement were analyzed using variance analysis and continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The result showed that addition of citric acid on Japanese quail feed did not give any significant effect (P>0,05) on feed consumption and egg weight, but the addition of citric acid gave a significant effect (P<0,05) on egg production and feed conversion ratio. During 4 weeks, addition 0,6% citrit acid showed egg production above 75%. It can be concluded that addition of 0,6% citric acid showed a better egg production and feed conversion ratio performance.