Effect of dietary nano-calcium supplementation from eggshell waste on serum biochemical response, carcass yield and meat characteristics of Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary nano-calcium supplementation derived from eggshell waste on the serum biochemical response, carcass yield, and meat characteristics of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 240 day-old quail chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatments: T? (control-100% calcite powder), T? (25% replacement with nano-calcium), T? (50%), T? (75%), and T? (100%). Each treatment had four replicates with twelve birds each. After six weeks of feeding, blood samples were collected for serum biochemical estimation, and representative birds were slaughtered for carcass evaluation. Results indicated no adverse effects on serum calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels among treatments. Carcass yield parameters such as dressing percentage, breast and thigh yields, and organ weights (liver, heart, gizzard) showed no significant differences. However, birds in T? (75% replacement) recorded numerically higher dressing and breast yields, indicating better nutrient utilization. It can be concluded that nano-calcium derived from eggshell waste can replace up to 75% of conventional calcium sources without affecting health, serum profile, or carcass characteristics of Japanese quails.