Effects of Graded Levels of Dried Mango Pulp on Reproductive Traits of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) Reared in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate effect of incorporating dried mango pulp at different levels into diet on reproductive performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) reared in Côte d'Ivoire, to identify an optimal inclusion rate for this local resource. Study Design: A completely randomized experimental design was used. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at experimental farm of Nangui ABROGOUA University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, between March and September 2025. Methodology: Six hundred day-old Japanese quail chicks (mean initial weight 8.34 ± 0.14 g) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (150 chicks each) with three replicates of 50 chicks: T0% (control, commercial feed only), T5%, T10%, and T15% (commercial feed supplemented with dried mango pulp at 5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively). Kent variety mangoes were sun-dried and then oven-dried (80°C for 48h) before being ground and incorporated. Laying rate, egg characteristics (weight, length, diameter, shell, albumen, and yolk weights), fertility rate, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and overall quail mortality were measured over ten weeks. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (P < 0.05). Fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality rates were compared using the Chi-square test. Results: Highest laying rate was recorded for the T5% group (96.95 ± 2.02%), significantly higher (P < 0.05) than T15% group (80.71 ± 2.77%). No significant differences (P>0.05) were found among treatments for egg physical characteristics (weight, dimensions, component weights). The T5% group showed best numerical values for fertility (99%) and hatchability (98%), although not statistically different from other groups (P>0.05). Embryonic mortality differed significantly (P<0.05), with lowest rate in T5% (1%) and highest in T15% (18%). Overall quail mortality was not affected by dietary treatments (P>0.05). Conclusion: The incorporation of dried mango pulp at 5% improves key reproductive parameters in Japanese quail, offering a viable strategy for valorizing local agro-residues. Higher inclusion rates (10-15%) lead to antinutritional effects, reducing performance.