Effect of Aloe vera and clove powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass and blood chemistry of Japanese quails

This study was aimed to assess the impacts of aloe vera (AV) and clove (Cv) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass quality, blood biochemistry, and hematology of Japanese quails and studying the possibility of using them as alternatives to antibiotics growth promotors as a natural safe products. Four hundred, 7-d old mixed sex chicks were divided into 4 groups of 5 replicates 20 birds per replicate including (10 males and 10 females). Birds in the control group (T1) were fed a diet containing Enramycin (0.02%) as an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP), while T2, T3 and T4, birds were supplemented with AV leaf powder, Cv powder and mixture of both at 0.5, 0.5 and 0.25 + 0.25% of feed, respectively. Results showed that total feed intake in all supplemented groups were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than T1. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T4 while T2 and T3 were better (P < 0.05) than T1. Breast yield and carcass weight were the highest (P < 0.05) in T4 while T2 and T3 were significantly better than T1. High density lipoprotein was highest (P < 0.05) in T4 whereas T2 and T3 showed higher value than T1. Blood cholesterol and serum enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Tl and lower in T4. The highest hemoglobin level was observed in T4. White blood cells were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T3 and T4. No significant difference was observed in, red blood cells, serum total protein, calcium and phosphorous level, packed cell volume, neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil. It is concluded from this experiment that AV and Cv supplementation improved breast yield and carcass weight without any harmful effect on the liver and blood biochemistry. This showed that the supplementation of AV and Cv powder can improve growth performance and it can work as an alternative of AGP.