The objective ofthis study was to evaluate the potassium requirement for laying Japanese quails.Two hundred and forty quails were distributed in a randomized block design,with five treatments and six replicates, with eight birds each. The treatmentsconsisted of a basal diet deficient in potassium (K) (2.50 g/kg), supplementedwith potassium carbonate, to replace the inert, to reach levels of 2.50, 3.50,4.50, 5.50 and 6.50 (g/kg) of K in the diet. There was a quadratic effect ofK levels on feed intake, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion per eggmass and per egg dozen, estimating the requirements of 4.26, 4.41, 4.38, 4.43and 4.48 (g/kg) of K diet, respectively. There was no significant effect onthe levels of K in the diet on egg weight, albumen weight, percentage of yolkor shell and yolk color. However, yolk and shell weights reduced and the albumenpercentage increased linearly with increasing levels of K in the diet. Despitethe reduction of shell weight, the increased levels of K did not influence thespecific gravity and shell thickness. The use of 4.41 g/kg of potassium is recommendedin the diet for laying Japanese quails.
