Effect of dietary supplementation of thyme and turmeric essential oils on performance of Japanese quails
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Date
2022-06
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
This experiment was designed to determine the effect of thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical and health status related parameters, carcass traits, meat composition and economics of Japanese quails. A total of 180, six-day-old Japanese quails were used and randomly allocated into 5 different treatment groups denoted as T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4. Each treatment group with 36 Japanese quails and each treatment further divided into three replicates of 12 quail chicks each. Different experimental groups of Japanese quails were; T0 control (no essential oil), T1 (0.2% thyme essential oil), T2 (0.3% turmeric essential oil), T3 (0.125% thyme + 0.075% turmeric essential oils) and T4 (0.075% thyme + 0.125% turmeric essential oils). Growth parameters were studied at weekly intervals as well as during different periods viz. Starter (I-II week), Finisher (III-V week) and Overall period (I-V week). A metabolic trial of 7 days duration was conducted after feeding trial i.e., on day 35th – 42nd to evaluate the impact of thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation on nutrient utilization. At the end of feeding trial on 35th day, two Japanese quails from each replicate (six Japanese quails/treatment) were randomly selected and slaughtered to study carcass yield, cut up parts yield, organ weights and processing losses. At the same time representative blood samples and meat samples (thigh and breast) were also collected for study of haematobiochemical parameters and meat composition. Results of experiment indicated that inclusion of thyme and turmeric essential oils significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed intake, increased body weight gain, improved feed conversion ratio and performance index, with best performance during all the periods was found in T4 group. The nutrient utilization in terms of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and organic matter were improved with thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation in Japanese quails with maximum nutrient utilization was observed in T4 group of Japanese quails. The blood picture revealed that TEC, Hb and PCV were improved in T4 group of Japanese quails and MCV and MCH showed significant reduction in essential oils supplemented groups except T1 group. Serum glucose was reduced in thyme and turmeric essential oils supplemented groups with minimum in T4 group. Whereas serum total cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in Japanese quails of all supplemented groups, except T1 with minimum in T4 group. Serum triglycerides were reduced in thyme and turmeric essential oils supplemented groups with minimum in T3 group of Japanese quails. Serum LDL cholesterol levels were reduced in Japanese quails of all supplemented groups. Serum HDL-cholesterol was increased in all thyme and turmeric essential oils supplemented groups with maximum value observed in T4 group of Japanese quails. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin were improved in all thyme and turmeric essential oils supplemented groups of Japanese quails with maximum values observed in T4 group of Japanese quails. Serum uric acid, serum creatinine and total bilirubin levels were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation in Japanese quails. While SGOT and SGPT levels were minimum in T3 group of Japanese quails. Thyme (0.075%) and turmeric (0.125%) essential oils supplementation significantly (P<0.05) improved dressed yield without and with giblets. Cut up parts in terms of thighs, breast and drumsticks weights were significantly (P<0.05) improved in thyme and turmeric essential oils supplemented groups with maximum thigh and breast weight observed in T3 and T4 group, while highest drumstick weight was noted in T4 group of Japanese quails. Thyme and turmeric essential oils improved weights of heart, liver, gizzard and giblets. Processing losses were not significantly affected by thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation in any treatment group. Best results regarding crude protein and crude fat content in thigh and breast meat was observed in T2 and T4 group. However, moisture and total ash content of thigh and breast muscles were not affected. Combination of thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation reduced the feed cost per kg weight gain significantly (P<0.05) with minimum feed cost per kg weight gain was noted in Japanese quails of group supplemented with 0.075% thyme and 0.125% turmeric essential oils in combination. From the results of present investigation, it can be concluded that dietary thyme and turmeric essential oils supplementation in combination at 0.075% and 0.125% concentrations, respectively each may be advised to improve growth performance, nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical parameters, carcass traits, meat composition along with economical Japanese quail production. Further research may be carried out using these and other essential oils in laying Japanese quails and other species of poultry.