The effect of total methionine + cystine on performance of European quail EV2 strain during two phases of the growth period (from hatch to 21 days and from hatch to 35 days of age) were evaluated in a completely randomized experimental design, with six levels of methinine + cystine (.73; .79; .85; .91; .97 and 1.03), four replicates and 12 quails per experimental unit. Body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed:weight gain ratio were recorded from hatch to 21 days and from hatch to 35 days of age. The quadratic effect of methionine + cystine was observed for all traits measured from hatch to 21 days of age. Highest body weight and weight gain were estimated for quails fed .95% methionine + cystine diets, while better feed intake and feed:weight gain ratio were estimated for those fed .96% diets. The quadratic effects of methionine + cystine levels on body weight, weight gain and feed intake were also observed from hatch to 35 days of age, with estimated highest performance for quails fed .95%; .95%;and .96% diets, respectively. Methionine + cystine requirement for EV2 strain is .97% from hatch to 21 days of age and .97% from hatch to 35 days of age.
quail; performance; nutritional requirement; weight gain
