Abstract
In this study, we investigated the effect of a feed enriched with vitamin D3(VD3) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) as vitamin D (VD) on the early development of quails, along with the optimal amount of VD added to the feed and the effective feeding terms of the VD-enriched feed. Based on the foundation feed, VD-mixed feeds containing different concentrations of VD3 and its metabolite, 25(OH)D3 were prepared. Quail chicks given the foundation and VD-mixed feeds were reared for three weeks and the difference in their development was compared. Quail chicks were assigned into the following groups: control group given the foundation feed, VD-enriched feed group, high VD-enriched feed group, and short-term VD-enriched feed group. The VD-enriched feed and high VD-enriched feed groups were stunted as compared with the control group. The VD-enriched feed and high VD-enriched feed groups had higher kidney Ca concentration than the control group, suggesting that the former groups could have signs of hypervitaminosis D due to an excessive VD added to their feed. Alternatively, the short-term VD-enriched feed group had heavier organ weight than the other groups and showed enhanced development. These findings suggested that the addition of VD to feeding feed was effective. Therefore, it is thought that devising VD supplementation and VD feeding terms makes the utilization of VD for the early development of quails possible.
