Quail Diets Research Articles

Performance, antioxidant status, nutrient retention and serum profile responses of laying Japanese quails to increasing addition levels of dietary guanidinoacetic acid

In this study, the effects of different levels of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation (0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 g/kg) in laying quails was evaluated in a completely randomised design comprised of four dietary treatments of six replicates each, from 56 to 154 d of age. The highest laying rate was obtained with 1.8 g/kg of GAA, but the optimum egg weight, egg mass, shell and yolk weight were observed at 1.2 g/kg of GAA. The villus height and villus height: crypt depth ratio of ileum and apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and ash were linearly and quadratically affected by GAA supplementation. Maximum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and total antioxidant capacity, but minimum malondialdehyde in the serum were observed at 1.2 g/kg of GAA. The highest concentrations of very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol and creatine (CRE) were observed at 1.2 g/kg of GAA, whereas the serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) was at its lowest level. The CRE, nitric oxide and homocysteine concentrations were highest when GAA at 1.8 g/kg was fed, but the highest concentration of total protein and VLDL were observed at 1.2 g/kg of GAA. The betaine content of liver was at its lowest level at 1.8 g/kg GAA supplementation, but the highest levels of total protein and total lipids were observed at 0.6 and 1.8 g/kg of GAA. In conclusion, the results indicate that GAA, especially at 1.2 g/kg, could improve performance, antioxidant status and intestinal performance in laying quails. Highlights Supplementation of GAA up to 1.8 g/kg of the laying quail diet increased egg production rate but liver betaine content decreased by inclusion of more than 1.2 g/kg of GAA. Supplementation of GAA at all studied levels improved nutrient digestibility while the benefits of GAA on intestinal morphology observed at inclusion levels of 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg. The serum and liver antioxidant status of laying quails improved by dietary addition of GAA at 0.6 and 1.2 g/kg levels.

PSXI-8 Effect of guava extract supplementation of japanese quail breeder (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on quality of neonate quail hatched by eggs storaged at different periods pre-incubation

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the use of guava extract (Psidium guajava L.) as an antioxidant additive in the diets of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in laying phase and to verify the quality of neonate quail hatched by eggs stored at different periods pre-incubation. The experiment was conduced at Federal University of Goias. A four hundred and thirty-two (432) eggs of layer Japanese quails fed with guava extract (contained 2.13% ellagic acid) in the diet were incubated in a completely randomized design, in a single-stage incubator. Temperature of 37°C and humidity of 65% was manteined. The eggs were distributed in 4x2 factorial design (levels of guava extract and stored pre-incubation period) with 54 replicates, each egg being considered an experimental unit. Four levels of guava extract were added in the ration of the breeders (0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) and two stored pre-incubation period (three and nine days) were studied. The quail neonate quality and intestinal development were analyzed. The results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% probability. To score quality was used Fisher exact test. The egg weight, neonate quail weight and quail lenght were lower when eggs were stored for nine days (P < 0.05) independent of levels of guava extract in breeder diets. The quality of neonate quail was not influenced by guava extract and stored pre-incubation period. The use of 0.9% guava extract as an antioxidant resulted in higher crypt depth in quails hatched from eggs stored for nine days. It is possible that antioxidant effect of el-lagic acid preserved the lipidic structures of the intestinal villi during the stored pre-incubation period. It is concluded that the use of 0.9% inclusion of guava extract in layer quail diets enhanced the intestinal development of the neonate quail but did not improve quality of neonate quail.

PSXI-9 Parameters of incubation of neonate japanese quail of japanese quail breeder (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed guava extract and stored for different periods storage pre incubation

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the use of guava extract (Psidium guajava L.) as an antioxidant additive in the diets of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in laying phase and to verify the incubation parameters of eggs stored at different periods pre-incubation. The experiment was conduced at Federal University of Goias. The extract contained 2.13% ellagic acid. A four hundred and thirty-two (432) eggs of Japanese quails fed with guava extract in the diet were incubated in a completely randomized design, in a single-stage incubator. Temperature of 37°C and humidity of 65% was manteined. The eggs were distributed in 4x2 factorial design (levels of guava extract and stored pre-incubation period) with 54 replicates, each egg being considered an experimental unit. Four levels of guava extract were added in diets of the breeders (0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%) and two stored pre-incubation period (three and nine days) were studied. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey test at 5% probability. To embryo diagnostic was used Fisher exact test. The eclosion percentage was not influenced by factors studied. There was a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between effects of levels of guava extract in diet and stored pre-incubation period on hatch window. The hatch window was shorter for quails from egg storage for nine days and breeders fed a 0.0% guava extract. The lower level of guava extract supplementation in diets (0.3%) of breeder promotes padronizing hatcheries time. The neonates quails from eggs storaged for nine days hatched in shorter period time in relation to quails from the eggs stored for three days. Values of the embryo diagnostic were not different (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the use of 0.3% inclusion of guava extract containing ellagic acid in layer quail diets promotes standardization of hatchery window of neonate quails.

The Assays of Bacteria-Yeast Consortia as Probiotics Candidates and Their Influences on Nutrients Utilization of Quails Diet

This study aimed to assay L. plantarum (P1), S. cerevisiae (P2), and its combination (P3) as probiotics candidates and their effects on nutrient digestibility in Japanese quails (Cortunix cortunix japonica) diets. In vitro assays were employed to evaluate the antibacterial activities against pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella pullorum), sensitivity to antibiotics (i.e., streptomycin, penicillin, and erythromycin), stress on bile salt and acidity condition. Evaluation of probiotics on in vivo nutrient utilization was carried out by administration of probiotics to laying quails in drinking water with various treatments (R0, control; R1, L. plantarum; R2, S. cerevisiae; R3, combination of R1+R2; R4, commercial feed additive). Results showed that the highest inhibitory activity was performed by P2 on S. aureus (17.28 mm). Treatments P2 and P3 were resistant to all the tested antibiotics, while P1 was resistant to streptomycin and penicillin. P1 was tolerant to bile salts whereas P2 was tolerant to gastric acidity conditions. For the in vivo experiment, quails fed R1, R2, and R4 had higher nitrogen retention as compared to R0 (p<0.05). However, all treatments revealed similar metabolizable energy values. The cluster analysis showed that quails consuming the combination of L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae were within the same cluster with the control but different clusters from the individual probiotics across all parameters, indicating a possible antagonistic effect between the two species. In conclusion, the inclusion of L. plantarum or S. cerevisiae inhibits pathogenic bacteria without influencing nutrient utilization of quail diet.

The Effects of Addition to Different Levels of Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) to Quail Diets on Performance and Carcass Traits

In this study investigated that an addition of different levels of mealworm to diets on performance, carcass traits in quails. A total of 200 mixed sex one-day-old quail chicks were used in the study. The basal diets were supplemented with 0, 2, 4 and 6 % mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). Four levels of dietary mealworm were arranged in completely randomized design and the treatments were replicated five times with 10 birds. The chicks were randomly assigned to among 20 cage pens. Feed and water were supplied ad-libitum. In the first week of the study, all quails were fed with control diet. During the next four weeks the quails were fed with 4 diets consisting of different levels of mealworm. The results of the study, there were significant differences in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio between the treatment groups (P<0.05; P<0.01). The body weight gain was significantly reduced fed with 4 and 6 % dietary mealworm when compared to the group of containing 2 % mealworm. Feed conversion ratio was significantly increased fed with 6 % dietary mealworm when compared to the control group (P<0.01). Feed intake, carcass weight and carcass yield were no significantly affected by the dietary treatments. The according to study results that performance parameters were decreased when dietary mealworm meal level was higher than 2 % of quails.

Influence of dietary supplementation of irradiated or non-irradiated olive pulp on biochemical profile, antioxidant status and immune response of Japanese quails

ABSTRACT Olive pulp (OP) has been found to be a highly nutritious, low-cost feeding source and potential alternative feed ingredients in poultry nutrition. Gamma irradiation (GI) can be used to breakdown the lignocellulose and hemicellulose contents of OP in order to reduce its high fiber content. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of GI (20 kGy) on nutrient composition, digestibility, fatty acids (FA) and total phenols content (TPC) of OP as well as the impact of feeding OP (0, 50 and 100 g.Kg−1 diet), either irradiated or not, on quail growth performance, blood indices and immune response. To achieve these objectives, 720 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks were allotted randomly to six experimental groups (8 replications of 15 chicks each). Results reveal that GI increased TPC of OP and decreased crude fiber (CF) content, while, trivial increase in total saturated FA (ΣSFAs) and decrease in total unsaturated FA (ΣUFAs) and UFAs/SFAs ratio were observed in IOP. The incorporation of 5% of OP or IOP recorded the highest values of LBW and DBWG and the lowest values of DFI and FCR followed by 10% OP. None of the digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF and NFE were affected by feeding OP or IOP except CF, which appears lower in birds fed both levels of OP and higher as influenced by GI. No alternations were observed in serum levels of total protein, albumin, liver enzymes, uric acid, creatinine and lipid constituents of birds fed diet containing OP or IOP except low-density lipoprotein which was lowered. Serum malondialdehyde was decreased in birds fed OP and IOP, while, serum glutathione reduced and glutathione reductase were insignificantly affected. A significant effect on the humoral immune response was found in treated quails where antibody titer against sheep erythrocytes was elevated. In conclusion, OP or IOP could be used in quail diets up to 10% to improve growth performance, antioxidant status and immune response without any deleterious effects on liver and renal function as well as nutrient digestibility.

A Nutritional Evaluation of Insect Meal as a Sustainable Protein Source for Jumbo Quails: Physiological and Meat Quality Responses

The use of insect meals in place of soybean meal in diets is critical for sustainable intensification of poultry production, but the utility of this alternative dietary protein source is unknown for the Jumbo quail. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of partial substitution of soybean with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on feed intake, physiological, and meat quality parameters of Jumbo quails. Three hundred and fifteen mixed-gender quails (53.8 ± 5.19 g live-weight) were reared on five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets formulated by replacing soybean products with BSFL meal at 0 (BSFL0), 25 (BSFL25), 50 (BSFL50), 75 (BSFL75), and 100 (BSFL100) g/kg. Feed intake, body weight gain, gain-to-feed ratio (G:F), blood parameters, and carcass and meat quality traits were determined. Quadratic trends were observed for overall feed intake (y = 605 (±17.56) + 2.1 (±0.82)x − 0.02 (±0.008)x2; R2 = 0.20; p = 0.023) and overall body weight gain (y = 155 (±4.70) + 0.57 (±0.22)x − 0.005 (±0.002)x2; R2 = 0.22; p = 0.026) in response to BSFL levels. However, there were neither linear nor quadratic trends for meat quality and blood parameters, except for albumin-to-globulin ratio. Only gizzard size linearly increased (y = 0.05 (±0.004)x + 2.3 (±0.09); R2 = 0.18; p = 0.04) with BSFL levels. We concluded that BSFL meal could replace soybean products in Jumbo quail diets at 54 g/kg without compromising weight gain and meat quality.

The effects of graded levels of fermented duckweed in quail diets on egg production and yolk cholesterol

This study aims to examine the effect of feeding graded levels of fermented duckweed meal (FDM) in quail diets on production performances, egg internal quality and yolk cholesterol. A total of 100 two- months-old of quail layers (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly allocated into four dietary treatments, in which each treatment consisted of five replications with five birds each according to a completely randomized design. The FDM used in each treatment were 0, 5, 10, and 15%, complementing other feed ingredients. Observations were conducted for 6 weeks following a week of adaptation to diets and environment. On the last two days, six eggs from each replication were collected for determination of internal qualities and yolk cholesterol. Result shows that daily egg production varied from 66 – 76%. Egg production of birds received diet with 10% FDM was not different (P>0.05) from those of control, but those fed on diet with 15% FDM was significantly lower (P<0.05). Egg weight and yolk weight decreased when level of FDM increased, but eggshell and egg yolk cholesterol were not affected (P>0.05) by dietary levels of FDM. The results suggest that fermented duckweed meal using mixed culture probiotics can be fed up to 10%.

EFFECT OF DIETARY GINGER AND CINNAMON OILS SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWING JAPANESE QUAIL PERFORMANCE

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary antibiotic and essential oil supplementation on growth performance ]live body weight (LBW), daily body weight gain (LBWG), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)[ and carcass characteristics of growing Japanese quail. A total number of 360 one week old Japanese quail chicks were randomly distributed into 8 treatment groups each of 45 chicks with three replicates )15 chicks each). Chicks of all experimental groups had nearly the same average initial weight. The 1st group was fed the basal diet without supplementation as control, the 2nd was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.50g antibiotic (colistine)/kg diet. The 3rd and 4th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.50 ml and 1.0 ml ginger oil (GO)/kg diet, respectively. The 5th and 6th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5 ml and 1.0 ml cinnamon oil (CO) /kg diet, respectively. The 7th and 8th groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.50 ml and 1.0 ml /kg mixture of GO plus CO (1:1), respectively. Results showed that chicks received 0.25 ml GO and 0.25 ml CO/kg diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher LBW compared with those received 0.5 g antibiotic /kg diet. Daily body weight gain significantly (P<0.05) increased when birds received diets containing different levels of GO or CO and 0.25 ml GO +0.25 ml CO/kg diet as compared with birds received 0.5 g antibiotic/kg diet. No significant differences in feed intake were recorded among dietary treatments during all the studied experimental period (1-3, 3-5 and 1-5 weeks of age). The better feed conversion ratio (FCR) value was recorded by chicks fed diet supplemented with 1.0 ml CO/kg diet, while the poorest FCR value was recorded by chicks fed 0.5 g antibiotic /kg. In addition, percent of carcass, dressing and gizzard were significantly (P<0.01) affected by dietary treatments. It could be concluded that GO and CO could act as a good alternative to antibiotics (colistine) in growing Japanese quail diets.

Feather meal supplemented with protease in diets for meat-type quails

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of feather meal (FM) in diets supplemented with protease for meat-type quails, on performance from eight to 21 days and from eight to 35 days of age and on carcass yield cuts and economic profitability from eight to 35 days of age. A total of 360 male, meat-type quails, were allotted to a completely randomized design, in a factorial 3 x 3 arrangement (three diets and three FM levels of inclusion), with four replicates of 10 quails per experimental unit. The diets evaluated were positive control (PC) + 0% FM, PC + 5% FM, PC + 10% FM, negative control (NC) + 0% FM, NC + 5% FM, NC + 10% FM, NC + 0% FM + protease, NC + 5% FM + protease and NC + 10% FM + protease. The NC diet was formulated with a reduction in crude protein and amino acids, compared to the PC diet. There was an effect (p &lt; 0.05) of the inclusion of FM in diets on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio, from eight to 21 and from eight to 35 days of age. There was a significant effect (p &lt; 0.05) of FM inclusion on the live weight of 35-day-old quails. The inclusion of FM impairs meat-type quails’ performance at all ages evaluated. NC diets, with and without protease, worsen the performance of birds compared to PC diets. Better economic profitability is observed for up to 5% inclusion of feather meal in positive control diets.

Digestible lysine requirement for European laying quail

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the productive performance of European quails (Coturnix coturnix) in the production phase, fed with diets containing different levels of digestible lysine. A total of 175 female quails, aged 65 days, were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates per treatment. The animals were housed in 25 metal cages, and each cage represented an experimental parcel, with seven birds per parcel. The birds were fed the experimental rations containing 1.177, 1.217, 1.317, 1.417, and 1.517% digestible lysine. The parameters evaluated were: laying rate, mass of eggs produced, feed intake in the period, lysine intake, feed conversion per dozen and per mass. Significant differences were observed for posture rate with quadratic behavior, which indicated higher production for the level of 1.23% of digestible lysine. There was an increasing linear behavior for the feed and lysine intake, and for conversion feed per dozen and by mass, we observed quadratic behaviors. This indicates better feed conversion index when the optimal inclusion level was 1.33% and 1.404% of digestible lysine in the diet, respectively. The requirement of digestible lysine in diets for European quails is 1.404%, which corresponds to a daily intake of 421.20 milligrams of digestible lysine.

Potential impacts of dietary inclusion of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in poultry feeding: a review

This paper reviews the use of green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in poultry diets in particular, drawing together the findings of various recent studies, in which attention has been paid to the role of green tea in improving the health of animals and humans. Green tea improved feed intake, final body weight, and nutrient use efficiency and could be used as growth promoter in place of antibiotics. Furthermore, green tea improved immunity against coccidiosis, Newcastle disease, decreased plasma low-density lipoprotein, and decreased serum cholesterol. Animal product quality was improved through decreased meat peroxidation, reduced abdominal fat, improved meat quality, and increased chemical composition of meat. Similarly, egg yolk cholesterol was decreased, egg yolk color was improved, and there was increase in yolk alpha-tocopherol. In quail, green tea improved the intestinal weight, decreased plasma low-density lipoprotein, egg yolk cholesterol, increased edible parts of egg, and improved feed intake and weight gain. Results about green tea showed that it could be supplemented in the diet of broiler, layers, and quail with positive result. This information will be useful for poultry nutritionists, although studies that are more detailed are still needed to prove the effect of green tea on poultry feeding in different situations.

Nutritional value and inclusion levels of residual annatto seed meal in diets for Japanese quails

Background: Residual annatto seed meal (RASM) is a byproduct after extraction of bixin in the cosmetic industry and may be used in animal diets. Objective: Two experiments were carried out to determine the nutritive value and effect of RASM inclusion levels in the diets of Japanese quails. Methods: For the digestibility experiment, 160 Japanese quails were distributed in a randomized study with two treatments and 10 replicates with eight birds each. The treatments consisted of a reference diet and a test diet containing 75% of the reference diet and 25% of RASM. For the performance assay, 192 Japanese quails were used in a randomized study with six treatments and four replicates with eight birds each. Treatments consisted of a control corn-based diet (Contr1) and another diet based on sorghum + canthaxanthin (Contr2), and four diets based on sorghum with increasing inclusion levels of RASM (0, 3, 6, and 9%). Results: Digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, metabolization coefficient of gross energy, and retention of calcium and phosphorus were 41.05, 43.12, 47.97, 25.49, and 30.35%, respectively. RASM inclusion did not influence bird productivity; however, feed conversion worsened in treatments with 0–6% RASM inclusion relative to that in Contr1. Yolk color increased due to RASM treatment. Conclusion: RASM may be included in sorghum-based diets for quails at 9%, with improvement in yolk color and no negative effects on productivity and egg quality.

Use of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a protein source on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality and intestinal morphology of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal inclusion in diets as a replacement for fish meal and soybean oil on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and intestinal morphology of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica).A total of 160 mixed sex quails at seven-day of age were weighed and allocated to 20 cages. The dietary treatments were as follows: control (C) group containing 370 g soybean meal (SBM)/kg of diet and 30 g fish meal (FM)/kg of diet and four T. molitor (TM) larvae meal groups, in which TM meal was included as a replacement for FM and soybean oil at 7.5 (7.5), 15 (TM15), 22.5 (TM22.5) and 30 (TM30) g TM/kg of diet. The use of TM at the levels of 22.5 and 30 g/kg of diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased body weight (BW) of the birds compared with other groups. Quails fed 22.5 and 30 g TM/kg of diet had better FCR values compared with other groups. The carcass and breast yields obtained in birds fed 30 g TM/kg of diet was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than other groups. Significant increases in villous height and crypt depth in TM supplemented birds was found (P < 0.05). Water retention capacity, redness and yellowness were improved by TM meal supplementation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data indicated that increasing TM inclusion up to 30 g/kg of feed in quail diets could improve BW, FCR, carcass yield, meat quality, and histology of jejunum.

Hermetia illucens Larvae Reared on Different Substrates in Broiler Quail Diets: Effect on Physicochemical and Sensory Quality of the Quail Meat.

This research aimed at improving the fatty acid (FA) profile of Hermetia illucens larvae (HI) and evaluating the effects of their inclusion in growing broiler quails' diets on the meat physicochemical quality, including detailed amino acid (AA) and FA profiles, sensory traits, and retail display. HI larvae were reared on two different substrates: layer mash (HI1) and 50:50 layer mash/fish offal (HI2). A total of 300 10-day-old quails were allocated to the three dietary groups (five replicates/each): a soybean meal-based diet was formulated (Control), and two other diets were formulated that included either 10% HI1 or HI2. Quails were fed the experimental diets until slaughter. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Breast meat quality was affected by the dietary treatments, which displayed different proximate compositions and AA and FA profiles. Meat physical quality, sensory profile, and retail display remained unaffected for the most part. Overall, results showed that it is possible to improve the FA profile of the HI-fed quails' meat and thus lipid quality through substrate modulation of the HI's diet.

Effect of a diet containing date pits on growth performance, diet digestibility, and economic evaluation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

This study was performed to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of date pits (DP) to growing Japanese quails on growth performance, diet digestibility, blood parameters, carcass traits, and economical value of the farm production. A total of 204 1-day-old quail chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups (three replicates each). DP was chemically analyzed and used as 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% to formulate 4 balanced experimental diets (control, DP-2, DP-4, and DP-6, respectively). The feed and water were given ad libitum. Feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded weekly, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. A digestibility trial was conducted, and the digestion coefficient (DC) was calculated for diet dry matter (DM) and nutrients. At the end of the experiment, carcass traits were measured and blood samples were collected for blood picture analysis. Economical evaluation of the test diets was carried out to determine the net return (NR) of feeding DP to quails. Results showed significant (P < 0.05) change in FI and final body weight among treatments. FCR of DP-6 group was the best in all treatments. DC of diet DM and nutrients were reduced with increasing DP level except for nitrogen-free extract (NFE). Carcass traits and blood parameters were within the normal range with no adverse effects. From the economic point of view, quail selling return values were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for all the groups supplemented with DP than the control one. Total return (TR) and NR values showed insignificant (P > 0.05) differences among the experimental groups; they were higher for DP-fed groups compared with the control. The present results demonstrated a beneficial effect of DP inclusion in the diet of quails in terms of growth performance, blood profiles, carcass traits, and economic value.

Palm Kernel Cake Fermented with Lentinus edodes in the Diet of Quail

Palm Kernel Cake Fermented with Lentinus edodes in the Diet of Quail

Effect of Licorice as an Alternative to Antibiotics on Productive, Egg Quality and Yolk and Blood Lipid Profile of Laying Japanese Quail

A total number of one hundred and eighty Japanese quail birds (120 females and 60 males), 9-weeks old were randomly divided into five groups, 36 birds each and each treatment was replicated four times with 9 birds in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were as follows: basal diet only without supplementation and served as a control group, basal diet + 100 mg Tylosine /kg diet, basal diet + 250 mg licorice /kg diet, basal diet + 500 mg licorice /kg diet and basal diet +1000 mg licorice /kg diet. The results showed that dietary supplementation with different feed additives had insignificant effect on egg laying rate, egg number, average egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion ratio compared with control group. The percentage of egg shell thickness was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) increased by supplementation with Tylosine and licorice in compare with control group. Serum total lipids, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) decreased due to addition of different feed additives. Yolk total lipids was significantly (P ≤ 0.001) decreased with dietary supplementation of licorice root powder and Tylosin in the diets. Also, significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease in egg yolk cholesterol was recorded in the group fed with 500mg licorice in comparison with anther treatments. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of licorice powder could be applied as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics for laying Japanese quail diets.

Effect of dietary germinated sorghum on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of growing Japanese quails

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of germination in improving the nutritive value of grain sorghum and the effect of using germinated sorghum (GS) as partially or completely replacement of yellow corn in growing Japanese quail diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters. A total number of two hundred and sixty-four 10-day-old Japanese quails were randomly distributed into four dietary treatment groups (each of 66), each treatment subdivided into 3 replicates (each of 22). Quail chicks in the first group fed corn-based diets (2922 kcal/kg feed and 24% crude protein) and served as control, while the chicks in the second, third and fourth groups received diets containing germinated sorghum as replacement of diet corn at levels 25, 50 and 100%, respectively. Results indicated that the inclusion of GS at all levels in growing Japanese quail diets had no significant effect on body weight, body gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics measured among all dietary treatments. Blood cholesterol decreased significantly in birds fed GS at levels 50 and 100% as replacement of yellow corn compared to the other birds. Nevertheless, triglyceride significant reduced in group of birds that fed dietary GS at level 100% of yellow corn compared to the other groups. In conclusion, germinated sorghum could be safely incorporated in Japanese quail diets as replacement of yellow corn to improve growth rate and reduce the levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride.

Curcumin in the diet of quail in cold stress improves performance and egg quality

Curcumin as a nutritional supplement for animals has been extensively used due to its several pharmacological properties, as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and growth promoter. These properties can exert positive effects on poultry health under thermal stress, and consequently, improves egg quality. In this sense, it is known that cold stress exerts negative effects on quail health, which consequently impairs its performance, posture and egg quality. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of nanocapsules containing curcumin in the Japanese quail diets could enhance the antioxidant effect of egg yolk and improve the quality indices during thermal stress, as well as to evaluate the performance production. The experiment was randomly performed with four groups (three repetitions with five animals each). The base diet was similar for all animals, and the curcumin (free or nanoencapsulated) was added later, and the groups were divided as follow: T0 (the control group; without curcumin); T30 (supplementation with 30 mg of free curcumin/kg of fed), and T3 and T10 (supplementation with 3 and 10 mg of nanoencapsulated curcumin/kg of feed, respectively). The animals received the experimental diets during 21 days, and the eggs were collected to perform the lipid profile analysis and oxidant/antioxidant status in the last day of experiment (day 21). The addition of curcumin (T30 and T10) improved egg production and reduced feed conversion. The color L (brightness) and b (yellow) were higher in the treatments with curcumin. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were lower in the egg yolk of animals from groups T30, T3 and T10 compared to T0. The antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals increased in all supplemented groups compared to T0. The saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids levels were lower in the egg yolk of group T10 compared to T0. Finally, the monosaturated fatty acids levels were higher in the egg yolk of groups T10 and T30 compared to T0. Thus, the use of curcumin in the diet of quails exposed to thermal stress improved egg quality. The nanotechnology was able to potentiate the antioxidant effect of curcumin since doses three times lower where used compared to free curcumin, as well as increased the unsaturated fatty acids levels, which can be beneficial to consumer´s health.