Effects of Terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus L.) Fruit Oil Supplementation to Diets on Fattening Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Blood Parameters and Breast Meat Fatty Acid Composition in Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)[1]

The objective of this study was to determine effects of terebinth fruit oil (TFO) supplementation to diet on growth performance, carcass characteristics, some blood parameters and composition of breast meat fatty acids in Japanese quails. Totally 240 unsexed daily Japanese quail chicks were assigned randomly to three treatment groups. Each group divided into 4 replicates, each containing 20 birds. A group was fed with basal starter diet for 1-21(th) days and grower diet for 22-42(th) days (Control). Treatment groups were also fed same diets additionally their ration added by 130 (Group A) or 260 mg/kg TFO (Group B) during the study. At 42 d of study, 20 quails (5 quails from each subgroup) from each group slaughtered for determination of carcass traits, blood parameters and fatty acid composition of breast meat. As a result of this study, final live weight of quails in Group B was found higher than Control and Group A (P < 0.05). There were no differences on the average live weight gains of the birds among the groups. Average feed intake in Group A was found lower than Control and Group B on basis of whole study period (P < 0.05). Average feed conversion ratio in Group A was found better than Control on basis of whole study period (P < 0.05). Carcass weight in Group B was found higher than Group A (P < 0.05). There were no differences on carcass yield and breast- ,leg-, wing-, heart-, liver- and gizzard ratio to carcass weights of the birds in all groups. Serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin and globulin did not differ among the groups. There were no differences on composition of breast meat fatty acid profiles. In conclusion, due to supplementation of 260 mg/kg TFO enhanced live weight and carcass weight, and 130 mg/kg TFO decreased feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio, TFO could be used as a supplement at indicated doses for quail fattening rations.