Evaluation of various molting methods with perspective of post-molting performance in Japanese quails

The post-molting performance of 360 female Japanese quails was assessed using five molting methods including feed restriction along with supplementation of dietary levels of aluminum sulfate (AlSO4) and zinc oxide (ZnO) with two concentrations of 0.15% and 0.3%. None of the parameters studied were positively influenced by a single molting method. Body weight gain and feed efficiency were positively affected by higher concentration of ZnO while feed consumption was positively influenced by higher concentration of AlSO4. Similarly high feed efficiency was attributed to higher concentrations of both ZnO and AlSO4. On other hand body weight gain and feed efficiency were negatively influenced by 0.15% ZnO while egg production was worst by 0.15% AlSO4. As each of the molting method had different influence on the tested parameters and none of them could apply individually with perspective of better performance therefore the combinational use of molting methods is recommended according to the focused parameter.