SUMMARY
In order of estimating the best relations methionine plus cystine: digestible lysine for quails males during the periods 22 to 28 and 29 to 35 days of age were developed two experiments. The quails received a basal diet deficient in methionine plus cystine, which were supplemented with five levels of DL-Methionine, replacing glutamic acid and starch, resulting in the following relations: 0.68, 0.73, 0.78, 0.83 and 0.88. A total of 280 quails distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and eight replicates of seven quails per experimental unit. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion, carcass yield and feathering of quails, composition of the carcass and nitrogen balance were evaluate. During the period from 22 to 28 days of age there was no effect for the variables studied front to relations methionine plus cystine : digestible lysine. During the period 29 to 35 days of age was observed effect on feed intake, methionine + cystine intake and weight gain. At 35 days old was observed effect on the yield of thigh and drumstick, ether extract and crude protein carcass and nitrogen retention. Are recommended that the relations methionine plus cystine : digestible lysine 0.68 and 0.88 over the period 22 to 28 and 29 to 35 days of age, respectively.
amino acids; body composition; ideal protein; nitrogen balance
