No abstract

The main objective of the present work was to study the effect of feeding Japanese quails on diets containing some aquatic plants, (Azolla and Spirulina) on Japanese quail performance, carcass traits and some blood parameters. The experimental treatments were T1 (control without additives), T2 (4% Azolla), T3 (8% Azolla), T4 (12% Azolla), T5 (16% Azolla), T6 (T1 + Spirulina 2.0 g/kg diet), T7 (T2 + Spirulina 2.0 g/kg diet), T8 (T3 + Spirulina 2.0 g/kg diet), T9 (T4 + Spirulina 2.0 g/kg diet) and T10 (T5 + Spirulina 2.0 g/kg diet). The obtained results showed that birds fed experimental diets in T5 and T10 achieved high significant values of final body weight, total weight gain and the best total feed conversion. Serum concentration of total protein, albumin, globulin. The experimental diets of T6 and T10 achieved the high significant values of carcass and total edible parts percentage. It is concluded that Japanese quails fed experimental diets containing Azolla and Spirulina improved bird's performance and carcass traits and did not negatively effect on blood serum characteristics.

This study examined the impacts of dietary spirulina (SP) and canthaxanthin (CX) supplementation to laying hens on reproductive performance and cock's semen quality evaluation. Three hundred and sixty of indigenous Sinai chickens (300 hens + 60 cocks), 48-weeks-old, were randomly divided into five treatments; a control and four supplemented (0.6 g SP mg/kg, 0.8 g SP mg/kg, 6 mg CX/kg diet, and 8 mg CX/kg diet) with six replications of 10 females and 1 male per treatment for laying trial and 1 male for semen evaluation. The animals were fed with experimental diets for 12 weeks. Supplementing 6 mg CX/kg diet led to an increase in the final body weight and egg production traits, while 8 mg CX/kg diet resulted in an improving feed conversion ratio. Supplementation of 0.6 g SP mg/kg or 6.0 mg CX/kg diet resulted in the highest egg production. The heaviest egg weight and egg mass were induced by 0.8 g SP mg/kg. Eggs laid from hens fed 0.6 g SP/kg diet had a higher concentration of cholesterol than those fed 0.8 g SP/kg and those fed 6.0 and 8.0 mg CX/kg. Cocks fed 6 mg CX/kg and those fed 0.8 g SP/kg diet had the greatest sperm concentration. The supplementation of 0.8 g SP mg/kg diet or both 6 and 8 mg CX/kg diet enhanced hatchability. So, dietary spirulina (0.8 mg/kg) and canthaxanthin (6 mg/kg) supplementation to Sinai laying hens and cocks could be used to improve productive and reproductive and performance.