Response of growth-selected Japanese quail lines to tannin levels in grain sorghum diets with suboptimal protein.

Growth of selected lines of Japanese quail fed grain sorghum diets was evaluated. Suboptimal protein levels (23 and 25%) were used in conjunction with two varieties of sorghum differing in tannin content (.02 vs. 6.06%). Chicks of three related lines of quail differing in growth rates and mature body sizes were fed the diets from 0 to 28 days of age. Growth was significantly reduced (14 and 6%) by substitution of high tannin sorghum for low tannin sorghum in the 23 and 25% protein diets, respectively. No line X diet interaction was observed.