Research Information System
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH, vol.26, no.2, pp.73-76, 2004 (SCI-Expanded)
To measure the influence of dietary black seed extracts on performance and egg quality characteristics in laying quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from 9-21 weeks of age, a total 45 layer quail (8 weeks, 2.26.3 g), were randomly distributed into three groups. The black seed extracts were supplemented at 0, 1 and 2 g/kg in a standard layer diet and each of the three test diets was offered ad libitum to birds housed individually in laying cages from 9 to 21 weeks of age. The egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight, shell weight, shell thickness, albumen height, albumen length and yolk height were higher in the group consuming 1 g/kg black seed extracts (P<0.05). However, there were no differences for live weight changes, feed intake, shape index, albumen weight, albumen width and yolk calibre among birds fed treatment diets (P>0.05). Use of 1 g/kg black seed extract is recommended for laying quails.