Productive response of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to different natural growth promoters in the breeding and development stage

This study evaluated the productive response of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to natural growth promoters during male breeding and development stages. A completely randomized design was used with three treatments and a control group, each with three replicates, totaling 15 experimental units and 180 birds, starting at 8 days old for a duration of 7 weeks. The treatments were: T0 (Commercial Feed + Water ad libitum); T1 (Commercial Feed + 10 g Ginger/kg feed + Water ad libitum); T2 (Commercial Feed + 10 g Cinnamon/kg feed + Water ad libitum); and T3 (Commercial Feed + 10 g Oregano/kg feed + Water ad libitum). Variables measured included initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, mortality, and cost-benefit ratio. Data were analyzed using Tukey's test at P<0.0005. T1 showed the best results with a final weight of 149.76 g, weight gain of 129.50 g, and a cost-benefit ratio of $2.74. T2 followed with a final weight of 139.74 g, weight gain of 120.69 g, and a cost-benefit ratio of $2.27. T3 had similar outcomes to T2, with a final weight of 138.6 g, weight gain of 118.45 g, and a cost-benefit ratio of $2.25. The control group, T0, recorded the lowest performance, with a final weight of 105.8 g, weight gain of 85.32 g, and a cost-benefit ratio of $2.2. These results suggest that natural growth promoters, especially ginger, significantly improve the productive performance and economic efficiency of Japanese quail during their growth stages.