Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of betel leaf (Piper betle) and nutmeg pod (Myristica fragrans) powder on feed intake, gut health and blood biochemical parameters in Japanese quails. Seventy five quails of three weeks of age with a mean body weight of 129.40 ± 5.48 g were divided to 3 treatment groups of 5 replicates each. Quail starter ration containing 22 % CP and 2950 kcal/kg ME, formed the basal diet T1. Treatment groups T2 and T3 were fed with bas-al diet plus dried betel powder or nutmeg pod powder at 1per cent, respectively. The overall feed intake, mean body weight and average daily gain (ADG) showed no significant difference among treatment groups. Serum ALT and AST was comparable among T2 and T₃ and was significantly lowered compared to T1. Serum total cholesterol level was comparable among T2 and T3 and was significantly lowered compared to T1. Serum glucose level was comparable among T1 and T3 and was significantly lowered compared to T2. Serum albumin and total protein level significantly differed among different groups. Serum globulin levels were comparable among T2 and T3and were significantly higher compared to T1. A: G ratio was comparable among T2 and T3and was significantly lowered compared to T1. It was concluded that the supplementation of betel leaf (Piper betle) powder and nutmeg pod (Myristica fragrans) leaves in the ration improved the growth performance, ADG, FCR, Serum globulin and lowered total cholesterol, A:G ratio, ALT and AST levels with-out any negative effect on their feed intake.

Keywords : Japanese quail, betel leaves, nutmeg pod powder, ADG, FCR, cholesterol, globulin, A: G ratio