Comparative evaluation of black pepper (Piper nigrum) meal and oxytetracycline on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and microbial counts of growing Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

A 4-week feeding trial was conducted on comparative evaluation of black pepper meal and Oxytetracycline on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and microbial counts of growing Japanese quails. A total of 210 growing Japanese quails, aged 2 weeks were used for the experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to the diets in a completely randomized design; such that the diets had 0, 250, 500, 750g/kg black pepper meal and Oxytetracycline at manufacturer’s recommendation. Each diet had 42 birds, replicated three times with each replicate having 14 birds. Results obtained showed that the body weight gain, and feed intake were significantly (p<0.05) increased in quail chicks fed 750g black pepper compared to those fed 0g/kg black pepper meal and Oxytetracycline while the best feed conversion ratio was obtained for chicks fed 750g/kg black pepper. The nutrient digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by dietary supplement of black pepper at 750g except for crude fibre that was not significantly (p>0.05) influenced. The microbial count was significantly (p<0.05) decreased for the harmful bacteria while the beneficial bacteria were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the quails fed 750g black pepper compared to those fed the control and Oxytetracycline diets. It was concluded that addition of black pepper meal could significantly improve performance and the general health status of growing Japanese quails.