Dietary fig seeds improve growth performance and antioxidant capacity of quail

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the addition of fig seed (FS) as a feed additive in quail rations on growth performance, carcass parameters, and antioxidant status. A total of 2000 one day-old quail chicks were allocated to a control diet (C; n = 400) or diets supplemented with 0.25% (FS0.25; n = 400), 0.50% (FS0.50; n = 400), 0.75% (FS0.75; n = 400), and 1.00% (FS1.00; n = 400) FS. There were five replicates of 80 chicks for each treatment. At the end of the study, the highest body weights and average daily live weight gains were observed in the FS1.00 group, whereas the lowest BW was observed in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of feed consumption, but the feed conversion ratios of all experimental groups were higher than the control group. The addition of FS had a marked effect on slaughter, hot, and cold carcass weights; and leg, chest, and wing weights compared to the control. Addition of FS to the ration increased total protein and albumin levels, whereas it decreased total oxidant status and alkaline phosphatase. Glucose and uric acid values showed a variable trend. As a consequence, it was concluded that the addition of fig seed as a feed additive at 0.50-1.00% of quail rations could be beneficial based on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood parameters.