Valorization of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) as a local food alternative for breeding quails in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59228/rcst.026.v5.i1.251Keywords:
African yam bean, tubers, flour, quail, dietAbstract
This study evaluates the incorporation of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst ex A. Rich) tuber flour into the diet of quails (Coturnix adansonii) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The aim is to provide a local and affordable alternative to expensive industrial feeds, thereby promoting quail farming and addressing protein malnutrition. Thirty one-week-old quail chicks were divided into three groups and fed for 35 days with diets containing 10%, 15%, and 20% African yam bean flour, respectively. Results showed that the 10% diet produced a lower feed conversion ratio (3.57) and a higher weight gain (166.34 ± 1.4 g) compared to the 15% (160.17 ± 1.45 g) and 20% (162.69 ± 1.43 g) diets. The production cost per kilogram of quail was also lower with the 10% diet (4.76 $ versus 6–7 $). These findings suggest that African yam bean tuber flour is an effective and economical alternative for quail farming in rural areas.
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