Japon bıldırcınlarının diyetlerine ilave edilen ardıç meyvesinin (Juniperus Communis) besi performansı üzerine etkisi

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of juniper berry (Juniperus communis) supplementation to quail feed rations on fattening performance and some carcass traits. A day-old 150 Japanese quails were used in experiments and quails were kept in cages for 7 weeks. The total 150 quail chicks were randomly separated into 5 groups (1 control and 4 treatment groups) with 3 replicates. Four different juniper berry levels as of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% and a control treatment (0%) were implemented. Juniper berry supplementation to feed rations initiated at the end of the 1st week and sustained for 7 weeks. Live weights, feed consumptions, feed conversion ratios and some carcass traits were determined. Juniper berry supplementation into rations during 7 weeks of growing period increased body weight (for male quails R2=98%), cumulative feed intake (R2=97%) and feed conversion ratio (R2=94%) of treatment groups significantly (P<0.01). Carcass weight (P<0.01, R2=71%), carcass yield (P<0.05) and breast yield (P<0.01) were also significantly increased by juniper berry supplementation. A significant difference was not observed between viability of different groups (P>0.05). It was concluded in present study that 0.5-1% juniper berry supplementation into quail feed rations had positive impacts on fattening performance and carcass traits.