The effects of Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) on performance, carcass and meat quality in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

This study investigated the Pennyroyal in terms of its effects on performance and meat quality (color and pH) in Japanese quails in different levels. A total of one day-old Japanese quail chicks were randomly distributed to a control and two experimental groups containing three different levels of pennyroyal (0.0, 0.1 and 0.2 %). Each experimental group was divided into five repetitive groups with, ten quail chicks in each group. At the end of the experiment, the performance values and meat quality parameters (color and pH) were measured. Significant differences were found between the groups according to the growth performance of the quails (P<0.05). At the end of the study, the body weight and body weight gain of the experimental groups in which 0.1% (P1) and 0.2% (P2) pennyroyal supplemented were found to be higher than the control group. It was observed that the feed consumption increased in the P2 group compared to the control group, and the feed conversion rate decreased (P 0.05). There was no significant difference was observed in the carcass yield, heart, liver and gizzard weight (P 0.05). The brightness (L*), redness (a*), yellowness (b*) and pH values of the breast meat were not affected by the supplementation of pennyroyal (P>0.05). According to the results of the study, the supplemented of pennyroyal by 0.2% was more effective on the performance.