Effects of different levels of essential oil mixed (peppermint thyme anise oil) supplementation in the drinking water on the growth performance, carcass traits and histologic structure of terminal ileum in quails.
This study was conducted in order to define the effects of oregofarm (peppermint, thyme and anise oil) supplementation in the drinking water on the growth performance, carcass quality and histologic structure of terminal ileum in quails. A total of 348 Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) of both sexes were included in this study. They were divided into one control group and two experimental groups and each of them contained 116 Japanese quail chicks. Each group was further divided into four subgroups with 29 Japanese quail chicks. This study was finalized in six weeks. All groups were fed with basal diets and received fresh water during the experiment. The control group received non supplemented water. The group 1 and 2 received 1.0 ml/5 L and 1.5 ml/5 L oil mixture, respectively. All experimental groups were fed with water and ad libitum. As a result of the study, there were statistically significant differences between the feed consumption and efficiency (P<0.001) in the end of the three weeks. Similarly, there were also statistically significant differences between same parameters (P<0.01; 0.05) five weeks later. The body weights of quails were not significantly different from each other (P>0.05) At the end of the study, there were statistically differences in the warm and cold carcass parameters (P<0.05) Adding essential oil mixed were not affected on histological structure of terminal ileum (P>0.05) Conclusively, the supplementation of oregofarm (peppermint thyme and anise oil) has no additional effect on quail performance.