Effects of a combination of herbal oils (rosemary, black cumin, and clove) on quail growth, antioxidant enzymes and health status

Abstract

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the potential of herbal oil combinations (rosemary, clove, and black cumin) in quail feeding as a natural growth enhancer. The effects of dietary gradual levels of this blend (RCBC) on growth indices, carcass attributes, and blood biochemical variables were compared to the control group (basal diets). For this, 300 1-week-old developing quails were employed. Birds were kept on the baseline diet with or free of herbal oils blend (RCBC) at three different amounts (0, 1.50, and 3.00 cm3/kg diet) from one to six weeks of age to suit their nutritional needs. There were no variations in live body weight or body weight gain over the entire period or at intervals. Compared to the control, birds fed RCBC-supplemented diets devoured more feed (P<0.01). RCBC supplementation in the diet did not affect the feed conversion ratio. Except for heart %, all carcass features were statistically (P <0.01) different after RCBC treatment when compared to the control. The amounts of total globulins, total protein, and albumin in quails given RCBC were higher than the control (P<0.001). In quails, the hepatic levels of GSH and the activity of SOD, catalase, GR, GPx, and GST all increased (P<0.001). MDA concentrations in hepatic homogenate were dramatically reduced by RCBC diets. Finally, RCBC supplementation at a dose of up to 3.0 cm3/ kg diet is recommended to enhance the growth and general health of quails during growth, which would have a favorable impact on the general health of quail meat consumers.