Effect on performance, serum biochemistry and haematological components of feeding “japanese quails” phytogenic feed additions comprising Megaphrynium macrostachyum leaves

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to examine the effect on performance, serum biochemistry and haematological components of feeding quails phytogenic feed additions comprising Megaphrynium macrostachyum leaves. A total of 400-1 day old “japanese quails” were randomly distributed into five treatments and each treatment had four replicates (20 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Basal diets were adequate in all nutrients and quails in treatment 1 was fed basal diet with no antibiotics, treatment 2 was fed basal diet supplemented with neomycin at 0.2 g/kg-1 while treatment 3, 4 and 5 were fed basal diet supplemented with M. macrostachyum leaf meal (MML) at 2 g, 4 g and 6 g/kg-1 respectively. The experiment lasted for 42 days, feed and fresh clean water were offered ad libitum. Experimental result showed that MML contained several phyto-constituents viz: tannins (318.62 mg/g-1), terpenoids (620.11 mg/g-1), flavonoids (1205.3 mg/g-1), steroids (51.79 mg/g-1), glycosides (42.55 mg/g1-), alkaloids (200.8 mg/g-1) and phenols (1402.4 mg/g-1). Average daily weight gain was higher (P < 0.05) in treatment 4 (3.00 g/bird-1) and 5 (3.02 g/bird-1) relative to the other treatments. Similarly, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were higher (P < 0.05) in treatment 4 and 5, intermediate in treatment 2 and lowest in treatment 1 and 2. Mortality was recorded only among birds in treatment 1 (2.56%) and 2 (1.16%) (P < 0.05). Red blood cell, white blood cell, haemoglobin, pack cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, lymphocytes and heterophil values were influenced (P < 0.05) by the treatments except for monocyte count (P > 0.05). Total protein, Creatinine, alanine phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were not significantly (P > 0.05) influenced by the diet. However, all values were within the established ranges for healthy quails. In conclusion, MML can be supplemented up to 6 g/kg-1 in the diet of quails without causing any deleterious effect on the health status and performance of birds.