Physiological response of quail birds supplemented with different forms of aloe vera under heat stress conditions

In order to evaluate the physiological response of quail birds during heat stress and develop mitigation means, aloe vera (AV) was supplemented at graded levels in different forms (powder and gel form) in the starter and finisher phases. Three hundred (300) day-old quail chicks were randomly allotted to five treatment groups namely C (basal diet), T₁ (0.4% AV in powder form), T₂ (0.6% AV in powder form), T₃ (0.4% AV gel through drinking water) and T₄ (0.6% AV gel through drinking water). Maximum-minimum temperature was recorded and Temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated at 7:30 am and 2:30 pm during the experiment. The nutrient requirements of the birds were met as per ICAR (2013). THI results revealed that quail birds experienced very severe heat stress in the daytime. Although no differences was found in average daily feed intake (g/d) and water intake (ml/d), significantly better weight gain and lowest mortality were recorded in T₄. Among physiological parameters, the mean respiration rate and surface temperature of the trial showed no difference (P>0.05), but the cloacal temperature recorded in day time was lower in AV-supplemented groups than control. The correlation study depicts that cloacal temperature was found to be positively correlated (P<0.05) with THI in C, T₁, T₂ and T₃ but in T₄, THI has a non-significant positive correlation with cloacal temperature. Despite this, blood biochemical parameters did not differ in different treatments. It may be concluded that 0.6% AV gel supplementation through drinking water can halt heat stress.