Effect of supplementation of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils on the performance of Japanese quails
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Date
2022-12
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. PIN - 263145
Abstract
The present trial was carried out to discern the effect of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil supplementation on the performance parameters, nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical and health status related parameters, carcass traits, meat composition and economics of Japanese quails. A total of a total of 180, six days old Japanese quails individually were weighed and randomly divided into five treatments which consisted of three replicates having 12 birds each. The experimental treatment groups were: T0 control (basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 0.2% of peppermint essential oil), T2 (basal diet + 0.2% of eucalyptus essential oil), T3 (basal diet + 0.1% of peppermint essential oil + 0.1% of eucalyptus essential oil) and T4 (basal diet + 0.05% of peppermint essential oil + 0.05% of eucalyptus essential oil). 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., from day 35th – 42nd to determine the impact of peppermint and eucalyptus 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 and meat samples (thigh and breast) were also collected for study of haemato- biochemical parameters and meat composition. Results of experiment indicated that inclusion of peppermint and eucalyptus 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 T3 group. The nutrient utilization in terms of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and organic matter were improved with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils supplementation in Japanese quails with maximum nutrient utilization was observed in T3 group of Japanese quails. The blood profile revealed that TEC, Hb and PCV were improved in all the essential oil supplemented groups of Japanese quails and MCV showed reduction in essential oils supplemented groups. Serum glucose was reduced in peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils supplemented groups except T4, whereas serum total cholesterol levels and serum triglycerides were significantly reduced in Japanese quails of all supplemented groups, except T4 group. Serum LDL cholesterol levels were reduced in Japanese quails of all supplemented groups. Serum HDL-cholesterol was increased in all peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils supplemented groups with maximum value observed in T4 group of Japanese quails. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin were improved in all peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils supplemented groups of Japanese quails. Serum uric acid, serum creatinine, serum bilirubin levels, SGPT and SGOT were significantly reduced by peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils supplementation in Japanese quails. The essential oil improved dressed yield
without and with giblets. Cut up parts in terms of thighs, breast and drumsticks and neck weights were significantly (P<0.05) improved in peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils supplemented groups with maximum thigh, neck and breast weight observed in T3, while highest drumstick weight was noted in T2 group of Japanese quails. Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils improved weight of liver. Processing losses were not affected due to essential oil supplementation. Crude protein and crude fat content in thigh and breast meat was increased in all essential oil supplemented groups except T4. However, moisture and total ash content of thigh and breast muscles were not affected. Combination of peppermint and eucalyptus 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 0.1% peppermint and 0.1% eucalyptus essential oils in combination. From the results of present investigation, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils in combination at 0.1% and 0.1% concentrations each may be advised to improve growth performance, nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical and health status related parameters, carcass traits, meat composition and production economics of Japanese quails. Further research may be carried out using these and other essential oils in laying Japanese quails and other species of poultry.