Effect of supplementing vitamin C and E on the performance of Japanese quails

The effect of supplementation of synthetic vitamins C, E and combination of herbal CE on the performance of Japanese quail was studied during dry hot conditions. Day-old chicks (300), divided into 6 groups (each with 2 replciates of 25 each) were randomly offered either control ration (C), C supplemented with 100 mg/kg of synthetic vitamin C (SC), vitamin E (SE), both vitamin C and E (SCE), herbal CE @ 100 mg/kg (HCE) or 200 mg/kg (HCE), from day-old till 35 days of age in the battery brooders. The average maximum and minimum temperature during the experimental period were 37.5±0.37°C and 20.2±0.56°C respectively, while the average relative humidity was 39.6±1.34%. The growth rate was slightly better in SE and HCE groups but the difference was non-significant. The feed consumption was low when diet was (P<0.05) supplemented with HCE rather than with SC or SE. The FCR was low (P<0.05) in the SC and SE groups than the control and herbal vitamins supplemented groups. The PER was higher (P<0.05) in groups supplemented with vitamin (either synthetic or herbal) than control. PER was better in the HCE group than the SCE group. Evisceration rate was lower in the control group than all the treated groups. SE and herbal CE supplementations increased (P<0.05) the proportion of leg and breast meat. The malonyl dialdehyde contents were 206, 181, 164, 152, 1679 and 147 nm/g of Hb, respectively, in C, SC, SE, SCE, HCE and HCE. It was concluded that the supplementation of herbal CE as well as synthetic vitamin C and E alleviated some of the negative effects of heat stress in Japanese quail.