Effect of Feeding of Morical; A Herbal Based Supplement on Production and Egg Quality in Japanese Quail

Abstract

In the present study, a herbal based feed supplement (Morical) was prepared by using Morinda citrifolia fruits. The supplement was fed to the Japanese quail at different concentration viz. 2%, 4% and 8% in the feed. The birds were kept under deep litter and maintained with standard ration and adlib water. The birds of the group B, fed with 4 % of Morical, showed highest annual egg production of 238.5 followed by group A (237.2), group C (222.5) and group D i.e. control (215.4) respectively. The FCR for per dozen of eggs of the group B was also found to be best compared to other groups. Best weight of the egg was obtained in the group C fed with 8% of the Morical powder. Similarly, the total weight of the egg yolk was also found better in the group C than in the other groups. The egg–shell analysis revealed that the group C birds fed with 8% Morical powder showed the highest percentage of Calcium than the other groups. In conclusion, the study revealed that the feeding of Morical enhanced the egg production and quality of the egg in Japanese quail.