Harnessing functional feed additives for sustainable production: the role ofandmixture in improving production and health of meat-type quails.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite the widespread interest in usingspp. as a probiotic in poultry diets, no evidence has been found to support the use ofin the diet of Japanese quails. This study examined the effects of supplementing growing Japanese quail with a mixture ofand(Bc+Pp) on their growth performance, antioxidative activity, immunological status, digestive enzymes, caecal microbiota, and blood chemistry. METHODS: Two hundred 1-week-old meat-type quail chicks were divided into four groups at random; five pens, each containing ten birds. These birds were provided with a basic feed as a control group, or a feed diet treated with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg kgof Bc+Pp mixture (1:1). RESULTS: According to the findings, the growing quail's growth performance was significantly (< 0.05) enhanced by supplementing the Bc+Pp mixture. Body weight and body weight gain were boosted significantly (= 0.0002,= 0.0003) by Bc+Pp mixture supplementation at 5 weeks and 1-5 weeks. In contrast, feed consumption showed a non-significant difference (= 0.8082) with the treatments within 1-5 weeks. Moreover, the feed conversion ratio was significantly (< 0.05) boosted (= 0.0137) with the supplementation of the Bc+Pp mixture. Furthermore, Bc+Pp mixture supplementation provided a significant boost in carcass traits, especially liver, gizzard, and giblet percentage (= 0.0112,= 0.0976, and= 0.0028). The current result showed a significant (< 0.05) increase in total protein, albumin, and globulin with supplementation of the Bc+Pp mixture. Moreover, the treatment significantly (< 0.05) reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein. Superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly (< 0.05) improved by supplementation of the Bc+Pp mixture. Furthermore, the digestive enzymes were significantly (< 0.05) improved, and the total bacterial and lactic acid bacteria counts were significantly (< 0.05) augmented, whereas the counts ofspp.,, total coliform, andspp. were significantly (< 0.05) decreased with dietary bacterial mixture treatments. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, supplementing growing Japanese quail with a mixture of Bc+Pp has a positive impact on their growth performance, antioxidative status, immunological response, digestive enzymes, and caecal microbiota.