Efficacy of Tulsi (Ocimum Sanctum) Plant Powder on Health, Growth and Carcass Traits of Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica)
Naeem, HNaqvi, S. Z. HHussain, JAbbas, NHayat, SArshad, LGhayas, ARehman, A
The objective of the current work was to assess the effects of Tulsi plant powder on the health, growth and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail. In total, 300 quails (1-week old) were distributed into four treatment groups with five replicates each. The first group (T0) was a control group where a basal standard diet was offered to the birds. Groups T0.5, T1 and T1.5 were supplemented with Tulsi plant powder at a rate of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, respectively. Data were analyzed in SPSS software by applying one-way ANOVA and significant and notable means were analyzed through Duncan's New Multiple Range Test. Dietary supplementation of T1.5 significantly (p≤0.05) increased the feed intake, body weight, gain in weight and presented a better feed conversion ratio. Significantly higher glucose, total cholesterol, HDL, WBCs, RBCs and HCT were observed in the quails from T1 than in the control group (p≤0.05). However, the quails from T1.5 had significantly (p≤0.05) higher hemoglobin, MCV, platelets and total protein contents. On the other hand, the T0 group was only higher in LDL contents. Non-significant (p>0.05) in MCH, MCHC, triglyceride, VLDL were noted among the experimental groups. It was concluded that the dietary supplementation of Tulsi plant powder at 1.5 % is beneficial for improving the growth performance and can be used in the diet of Japanese quail without compromising the health status and carcass traits.(AU)
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