Influence of various dietary protein levels on carcase composition in the male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

1. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of various dietary protein concentrations on the carcase composition of male Japanese quail. 2. Six diets varying in protein from 160 to 300 g/kg and containing approximately 11.72 MJ/kg ME were fed for 5 weeks and analysed for dry matter, protein, fat and ash. 3. Treatments affected carcase weight, dry matter, protein, ether extract and ash (P < 0.01). 4. The water content of the carcases decreased with increasing dietary protein concentrations, while the carcase protein content increased with higher dietary protein. The carcases with the highest fat content were obtained from quail receiving the low protein diet.