Effects of The Use of Dried Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) in Japanese Quail Rations on Growth Performance and Some Carcass Parameters

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of dried purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) added to quail rations in different proportions on growth performance, some blood and carcass parameters and some meat quality characteristics. In the study, a total of 256 one-day-old quails were used, distributed to four treatment groups in four replications. The treatment groups consisted of: (1) Control (C, no purslane), (2) 2% dried purslane added to control feed, (3) 4% dried purslane added to control feed, and (4) 6% dried purslane added to control feed. It was determined that none of the concentrations of purslane used in the study had a significant effect on growth performance, meat quality parameters or slaughter parameters except for small intestine weight and warm carcass yield. The addition of 4 and 6% dried purslane to the ration significantly improved the warm carcass yield compared to the control group. However, it was observed that the addition of dried purslane caused lower proportional small intestine weight compared to the control. In conclusion, it was seen that up to 6% dried purslane can be used as an alternative feed ingredient in quail rations