A feeding experiment was conducted to find out the level of ipil-ipil leaf meal that could significantly influence the performance of quail layers and to evaluate the economy of feeding quail layers at least in terms of return above feed cost. Specifically, it evaluated the performance of quail layers in terms of weight gain/loss, egg production rate, egg weight, egg mass, egg shape index, egg yolk color, egg shell thickness, albumen quality, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio.

Two hundred twenty five (225) Japanese Seattle quail layers were randomly distributed to five dietary treatments with three replications consisting of four levels of ipil-ipil leaf meal 2, 4, 6 and 8% as component of feed with zero ipil-ipil leaf meal as control. The diets were fed to the birds for a duration of 12 weeks.

The two-way classification of the analysis of variance for Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used to analyze the data. Significant differences among treatment means was compared by Least Significant Difference (LSD) Test.

Results of the study showed that the productivity of quail layers in terms of weight gain, egg weight, egg production rate, feed conversion ratio, albumen quality, feed consumption, egg mass and shell thickness were not significantly improved by ipil-ipil leaf meal as feed component. Also, profit over feed cost was not significantly improved with increasing levels of ipil-ipil leaf meal. However, at 8% ipil-ipil leaf meal as feed component of the quail layers' diet, color was significantly improved.

Thesis (Master of Science - Animal Science)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references