Effect of the dietary inclusion of the growth promoter avoparcin on the performance and carcass characteristics of growing quail

The effectiveness of avoparcin in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) diets was evaluated with respect to birdsʹ performance (body weight; feed conversion ratio; mortality) and carcass characteristics over a 42 day production period. Avoparcin supplementation (15 mgkg−1) increased body weight and significantly (P ≤ 0.05), reduced mortality during the first 14 days of birdsʹ lives but did not cause any differentiation on quail performance at the end of the production period, although feed conversion ratio appeared to be significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved. Most carcass characteristics, as measured by carcass weight, carcass yield, carcass composition, heart, crop/proventriculus, and intestine weight, were not significantly affected. However, liver weight and gizzard weight were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower in birds fed the avoparcin diet. The results indicate that avoparcin can be incorporated, as a growth promotant factor, in a quailʹs diet at a level of 15mg kg−1 with beneficial effects for growing birds.