Response of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) to dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera essential oil under heat stress condition

The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of the dietary use of different doses of Moringa oleifera essential oil (MOEO) on performance parameters, internal organ weights and meat quality in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to Heat Stress (HS). For this purpose, 320 male day-old quail chicks were used. Seven days of preliminary (physical exercise) and a 35-day fattening period were applied. The animals were divided into 8 groups, each including 40 animals according to temparature (C: 25 °C and SC: 37 °C) and dietary doses (C, 200, 400 and 600). Each group was divided into 4 subgroups, each comprising 10 animals. The consequences of this study showed that, in the stress-free (HSF) groups, while all of the different doses of dietary MOEO positively affected growth performance, feed intake and feed efficiency, in the HS groups, similar positive effects were observed with the use of 200 ppm of dietary MOEO. While no effect was detected on internal organ weights on Days 21 and 42 in the HSF and HS groups, a dose-dependent increase was determined in the intestinal pH value on day 42 in the HS group (p <.05). Additionally, in the analysis of meat quality on the 21st and 42 days compared to the controls, no effect was observed on the meat colour parameters value and TBARS level in the HS and HSF groups. Based on the consequences of this study, it is considered that, MOEO could be used as an alternative product in poultry, at a dose of 200 ppm, to reduce the detrimental effects of HS.HIGHLIGHTS Temperature stress, performance parameters and serious problems in the health of poultry. Moringa olifera helps regulate performance parameters in poultry exposed to heat stress. Since the addition of Moringa oleifera to the diets does not affect the organ weight and meat quality in 21 and 42 days, it does not cause any negative effects for the consumer.