DefinePK

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pumpkin seeds oil supplementation to the diet on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood biochemical parameters of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 192 day-old of Japanese quail were randomly allocated to four treatments, with 4 replicates per treatment and 12 birds per replicate. The dietary treatments were: Basal diet without supplementation with pumpkin seeds oil (control group) and three of pumpkin seeds oil treatments (5, 10 and 15 g/kg of diet). The results revealed significantly increase (P<0.05) of 10 and 15 g/kg of pumpkin seeds oil (PSO) on body weight gain during (1- 6) week period of experiment compared to control and 5 g/kg PSO treatments. There were less (P<0.05) feed consumption at 15g/kg of pumpkin seeds oil supplementation during (1-6) week period of experiment compared to other treatment. The addition of 15g/ kg of pumpkin seeds oil to the diet showed better (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio during (1-3) week period but addition of 10 and 15 g /kg of pumpkin seeds oils resulted in better (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio during (3-6) and (1-6) week period of experiment. Dietary supplementation of pumpkin seeds oil at 10 and 15 g/kg of diet increased (P<0.05) carcasses weights as well as decreased (P<0.05) total plasma cholesterol concentrations and triglycerides. It was found that body weight at 1, 3 and 6 weeks of age, body weight gain during (1-3) and (3-6) weekly periods, dressing percentage, weights of liver, heart, gizzard, giblets, edible meat, thigh, breast, back, wings and neck, total proteins, urea and creatinine concentration not significantly affected with PSO supplementation. It would have suggested that the supplementation of Japanese quail diets with (10 and 15g/kg) pumpkin seeds oils improved productive performance.