Effect of supplementary liquid colostrum on growth performance, carcass yield, ceruloplasmin, sialic acid and some antioxidant levels in quails

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementary liquid-colostrum (LiqC) on growth performance, carcass yield, ceruloplasmin, sialic acid, and antioxidant levels in growing quails. In this study, a total of 90 ten-days-old mixed-sexed Japanese quail chicks were used. Quails were divided randomly into 3 groups. Chicks were fed one of three diets: basal diet or basal diet supplemented with 2% or 4% liquid colostrum. Birds were exposed to a 14L:10D illumination cycle for 32 (days of 10-42) days. When the effects of dietary liquid colostrum supplementation on performance were examined, values of final body weight, live weight gain, cumulative feed intake, feed efficiency, cold carcass weight and cold carcass yield in quails were higher in the trial groups compared to control group (P0.05). Levels of liver malondialdehyde (MDA), ceruloplasmin, and sialic acid were lower, but levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were higher in trial groups (P0.05). Serum MDA levels were lower and SOD levels were higher in liquid colostrum supplemented groups (P<0.05), although a numerical increase was found in TAS levels, no statistically important difference was found in trial groups. In conclusion, the oxidative, transport and slaughter stresses can be attenuated by liquid colostrum supplementation at 4% of diets in quail.

Keywords

• colostrums
• growth performance
• ceruloplasmin
• sialic acid
• quail