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ABSTRACT This study provides a physicochemical, microstructural, and thermal characterization of an imported extruded racing pigeon feed in the scope of reverse engineering. It aimed to bridge technological gaps in domestic production. Proximate analysis showed that the sample had a nutritionally balanced profile, with high protein (26.44%) and carbohydrate (51.34%), along with low fat (3.77%). The feed exhibited considerable functional properties, including a high water-holding capacity (4.18 g H2O/g), consistent particle size homogeneity (99.2% within 2-4 mm), and good powder flowability (Carr Index = 16.7). Microstructural analysis revealed a protein-dominated matrix with intact starch granules. Thermal analysis showed the degradation phase is above 290 °C. The formulation demonstrates a strong scientific basis for supporting racing performance due to its color, particle size distribution, good water holding property, and the high structural hardness that positively affects palatability and feed efficiency. Its limited starch gelatinization suggests potential challenges related to mechanical grinding efficiency in the gizzard and bioavailability. These findings provide critical technical insights for manufacturers developing optimized feeds for avian physiology. Future research should focus on in vivo digestibility studies and potential modifications to enhance nutrient absorption.

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ABSTRACT Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is widely renowned for its substantial nutritional and bioactive properties, making it a feasible natural feed supplement in poultry nutrition. This investigation demonstrated the impacts of dietary incorporation of Moringa leaf powder (MLP) on the growth performance and physiological parameters of pullets. A total of 108 Isa Brown pullets (13 weeks old and averaging 1298±0.50 g of weight) were randomly assigned into three dietary groups: control group (no supplementation), 0.5% MLP, and 1% MLP. Each group comprised six replications of six birds, with a total trial duration of 42 days. The findings indicated that pullets supplemented with 1% MLP exhibited significantly higher final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG) (p<0.05), and a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p<0.05) compared with the control and 0.5% MLP groups. Hemoglobin concentration and serum albumin levels were significantly raised (p<0.05) in the 1% MLP group relative to the other groups. Furthermore, the 1% MLP group exhibited reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p<0.05) in comparison to the control group. Both MLP-supplemented groups demonstrated enhanced immune function as denoted by higher Immunoglobulin-G (Ig-G) levels (p<0.05) as compared to the control group. In summary, dietary inclusion of 1% Moringa leaf powder can be beneficial in improving growth performance, feed efficiency, and health parameters in pullets, highlighting its potential as a functional feed supplement in pullet diets.

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ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica remains a major pathogen in poultry, the intestinal colonization of which contributes to the contamination of meat and eggs. This study evaluated edible biopolymeric microcapsular wrappings (EBMW) as “Trojan-horse” carriers for two lytic bacteriophages targeting S. enterica. Chitosan-coated calcium alginate microparticles were produced by internal gelation and characterized for phage viability, protection in simulated gastric (pH 2.5) and intestinal (pH 6.8) fluids, and antibacterial efficacy under ex vivo conditions using chicken intestinal segments. Encapsulation preserved phage lytic activity and significantly delayed inactivation under acidic conditions, maintaining viable titers for 45-60 min compared to rapid loss in free phages. In ex vivo assays, EBMW-encapsulated phages achieved up to 6-log reduction of S. enterica in the ileum-ceca segment, with higher efficacy at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1000 than of 100. Phage titers remained stable or increased, indicating active replication and sustained release. These findings demonstrate that EBMW provide a protective, time-controlled delivery system for oral phage administration. The segment-specific efficacy, especially in the ceca-the main Salmonella reservoir in poultry-highlights the potential of EBMW-encapsulated phages as an effective biocontrol strategy for reducing Salmonella loads in poultry production.

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ABSTRACT This study explored how salidroside alleviates pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and ascites in broilers exposed to high-altitude hypoxia. Three groups of broilers (n = 80 each) were kept for 42 d under hypoxic (14.0-16.0 % O2), normoxic (20.8-21.5 % O2) or hypoxic + salidroside (50 mg kg-1 diet) conditions. On days 21, 35 and 42, mortality was recorded; serum SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities, and MDA levels were quantified, and the right ventricular hypertrophy (RV/TV) index was calculated. At day 42, pulmonary arteries were sampled for histopathology, immunohistochemistry (Caspase-3, Ki67, PCNA), Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry for CaSR. Compared with the hypoxic group, salidroside and normoxic broilers showed higher antioxidant enzyme activities, lower MDA, lower RV/TV index, and reduced total and ascites-related mortality (all p<0.05). Hypoxia-induced thickening of the arterial wall, decrease in Caspase-3, and increases in Ki67 and PCNA were all reversed by salidroside or normoxia. CaSR mRNA and protein levels were also downregulated in both non-hypoxic groups (p<0.05), with no difference between them (p>0.05). Salidroside thus mitigates hypoxic PAH and ascites by preserving right-heart function, suppressing pulmonary arterial remodeling, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and inhibiting CaSR signalling. In conclusion, salidroside mitigated PAH and ascites under high-altitude conditions by maintaining normal right heart function, reducing pulmonary artery pressure, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and modulating CaSR expression.

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ABSTRACT The emergence of antibiotic resistance in poultry farming threatens animal health, food safety, and public health. This study characterized and compared AMR profiles between avian pathogenic and fecal Escherichia coli (APEC and AFEC) and identified key risk factors associated with multidrug resistance (MDR, defined as resistance to at least three antibiotic classes). Two hundred Escherichia coli (100 APEC, 100 AFEC) were identified from 360 clinical and fecal samples collected in central Algeria, yielding prevalences of 46.5% for APEC and 68.97% for AFEC. Antibacterial susceptibility to 24 antibiotics was assessed using the disk diffusion method. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was applied as an exploratory tool to uncover associations between resistance patterns and risk factors. APEC and AFEC strains demonstrated pronounced resistance to the first-line therapeutic antibiotics, notably tetracycline (84%, 91%), ampicillin (82%, 74%), amoxicillin (80%, 71%), and nalidixic acid (76%, 74%), while preserving full susceptibility to carbapenems and cefoxitin. Poultry age was the primary driver of MDR in APEC isolates, whereas MDR in AFEC was primarily linked to inadequate ventilation and suboptimal humidity levels. Fisher’s exact test indicated no significant differences in susceptibility rates between APEC and AFEC isolates (p>0.05), except for tobramycin. This first comprehensive AMR assessment in Algerian poultry emphasizes the multifactorial nature of its emergence, the imperative need for improved antimicrobial stewardship and farm management policies to safeguard animal and public health.

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ABSTRACT This study evaluated the influence of water supply infrastructure and environmental factors on drinking water temperature and productive performance of broiler chickens raised under commercial conditions in Brazil. A total of 24 flocks, comprising more than 2.2 million birds, were divided into two groups: painted and unpainted water reservoirs. Daily measurements at 7 h, 11 h, and 15 h included nipple water temperature, reservoir water temperature, ambient temperature, and solar radiation. Water intake, average live weight, feed conversion ratio, mortality, and total slaughtered birds were also recorded. Results showed that painting reservoirs helped reduce stored water temperature, particularly at 11 h and 15 h, although nipple water temperature was strongly influenced by solar radiation and pipeline exposure. Trends of improved feed conversion, reduced mortality, and higher slaughter yield were observed in flocks with painted reservoirs, while final live weight did not differ significantly. Factorial analysis (FAMD) revealed that environmental variables were strongly correlated with water temperatures, whereas productive outcomes were more closely associated with water intake and the combined effect of infrastructure. In conclusion, optimizing water supply infrastructure, together with environmental management, may serve as a practical strategy to mitigate heat stress and enhance broiler productivity in tropical regions.

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ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of taurine supplementation administered in ovo and via drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, oxidative stress status, and white striping (WS) incidence in broiler chickens. A total of 720 fertilized eggs were randomly allocated to three groups: Control (no treatment), Sham (sterile distilled water injection), and in ovo taurine (IOT; 1.30 mg/egg). After hatching, chicks were assigned to four experimental groups: Control, Sham, IOT, and taurine via drinking water (DWT), administered daily as a freshly prepared stock solution (250mg/10mL). Growth performance was monitored over 42 days. The IOT group exhibited reduced feed intake and body weight gain during the later growth stages. Carcass analysis revealed significantly lower breast and thigh weights in the IOT group (p<0.001), whereas liver weight was highest in the DWT group. No significant differences in WS scores or breast pH were observed among treatments (p>0.05). Histological evaluation showed that IOT significantly reduced the severity of lipidosis, particularly toward the end of the experimental period (p<0.001). Regarding oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were elevated in the Control and DWT groups, while reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly higher in the IOT and Sham groups (p<0.001). The lowest expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and the highest levels of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5/irisin) were observed in the IOT group (p<0.001). Although in ovo taurine supplementation did not improve growth performance or carcass yield, it enhanced antioxidant capacity and muscle metabolism.

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ABSTRACT This study reviewed the scientific literature on the application of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), aiming to assess research trends, contributing countries, and the most investigated genes in poultry genetics. The bibliometrix package in R was used to dig through data from Web of Science and Scopus, covering the period ranging from 2008-2024. After cleaning out the duplicates, 1,668 articles remained. Since 2008, the numbers kept climbing, peaking in 2024 with 137 papers, which amounts to an average of 87 per year. The US, South Korea, and China were the largest three country origins in terms of output, with China alone producing 723 studies. Countries like Brazil were also important sources, which hints at there still being significant room for global collaboration in this field. The most frequent keywords were “growth” and “egg production,” underscoring a predominant research focus on productive and reproductive traits. The most cited genes were GH, IGF, PRL, MHC, CORT, MCR1, and VIP, which relate to growth, egg production, and disease resistance. Our data expand the body of SNP-based research in poultry science, while also highlighting the potential of those markers for use in breeding programs that aim at increasing productivity and sustainability.

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ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of different plant-based lipid sources on the performance, serum biochemical profile, meat physical traits, body temperature, and intestinal histomorphometry of Japanese quails during the rearing phase. A total of 400 Japanese quails were assigned to a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments consisting of soybean, corn, cottonseed, sunflower, or canola oil included at 25 g/kg, with ten replicates of eight birds each. Quails fed diets containing cottonseed, sunflower, or canola oil exhibited lower feed conversion ratios compared with those fed corn oil (p<0.01), without affecting body or surface temperature, meat quality traits, or serum biochemical parameters (p>0.05). In addition, birds receiving cottonseed oil showed a higher villus-to-crypt ratio in the ileum (p<0.01). Dietary inclusion of cottonseed oil at 25 g/kg improved feed efficiency and intestinal morphology in Japanese quails during the rearing phase, without inducing adverse changes in serum biochemical indicators related to lipid metabolism.

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ABSTRACT Parasitic infections in chickens are responsible for significant loss in the economy. This study compared the anthelmintic activity of Trachyspermum ammi (ajwine), apple cider vinegar, and synthetic drugs against gastrointestinal nematodes in chickens and assessed their effects on weight gain.100 naturally infected chickens with Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum, and 20 healthy fowls were studied. Infected chickens were divided into four groups for treatment with albendazole (20 mg/kg body weight), levamisole (25 mg/kg body weight), ajwine (3 g/kgbw), Apple cider vinegar (ACV) (5 ml/kg body weight), respectively, and the fifth one remained untreated (-ve control). Healthy chickens served as a positive control. Anthelmintic efficacy was assessed using the fecal egg count reduction percentage (FECR%) on days 31, 39, and 53 post-treatment. Albendazole was found to be most effective against nematodes with FECR% of 75.36% on day 31, 98.58% on days 39, and 99.70% on day 53. On day 31, levamisole and ACV were found to be significantly less effective than albendazole, but their effects were increased from day 39 to day 53. ACV showed FECR 89.45% against A. galli and 84.32% against H. gallinarum at day 53. ACV showed similar deworming potential at day 53 to levamisole, indicating its strong anthelmintic efficacy. T. ammi was found to be more effective in weight gain and A. galli deworming. Specimens treated with Albendazole showed 10.04±0.48 g/day weight increase, levamisole 8.64±0.42 g/day, T. ammi 8.63±0.39 g/day, and ACV 8.67±0.44 g/day indicating both herbal products act as anthelmintics and are also involved in improving the digestive abilities of fowls.

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ABSTRACT Poultry farming is a key sector of the Brazilian economy, marked by large-scale production. Consumption increased during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and due to global pig herd diseases, driven by poultry’s affordability and versatility. However, industry growth has also led to a rise in diseases, including those caused by Escherichia coli. This study evaluated the sensitivity profile of E. coli strains isolated from poultry hatcheries in southern Brazil against selected antimicrobials and two disinfectants (quaternary ammonium and sodium hypochlorite), as well as their biofilm-forming ability. Samples were collected at different stages of fertile egg incubation and identified through conventional bacteriology. E. coli was found in 18% of samples, with 96.74% producing biofilm and all being sensitive to both disinfectants. Antimicrobial resistance was highest for amoxicillin and tetracycline (79.35%), followed by enrofloxacin (69.56%) and kanamycin (26.09%). Multidrug resistance occurred in 53.26% of isolates. These findings underscore the need for standardized tests to monitor biofilm-producing bacteria and their antimicrobial susceptibility in poultry farming.

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ABSTRACT Manure generated from livestock farming is one of the most abundant forms of biomass. In Türkiye, livestock is categorized into sixteen distinct animal types, and the distribution of these types across districts is published online via the Biomass Energy Potential Atlas (BEPA). This study first calculates the biomass potential associated with Türkiye’s animal types. Subsequently, the animal species with the highest biomass potential are identified. To conduct a more detailed analysis, the contribution of each province to the national biomass potential was evaluated. Since a detailed analysis covering the entire country would significantly expand the scope of the study, the focus was narrowed to the Marmara Region. The Marmara Region, one of Türkiye’s seven geographical regions, is located in the northwest, comprises 11 provinces, and is home to the country’s most densely populated and industrialized cities. The compatibility of the methodology employed by BEPA with the existing literature was assessed, and the potential energy value obtainable from the region was calculated. Finally, the study investigated how many biomass-powered absorption cooling facilities, each with a 10 kW cooling capacity, could be supplied by the biogas produced from the manure of the four dominant species-broiler chickens, laying hens, purebred cattle, and crossbred cattle. As a result, it was found that the poultry population in Türkiye numbers approximately 360 million, of which around 355 million consist of broiler and laying hens. The Marmara Region, particularly the provinces of Sakarya and Balıkesir, stands out in poultry farming, hosting 93.5 million chickens. If the biomass from the four identified species in the region were converted into energy, it would be possible to establish approximately 38,510 facilities.

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ABSTRACT This study focused on the effects of five different lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus salivarius 05, Lactobacillus chiayiensis AACE 3, Lactobacillus paracasei XLK 401, Lactobacillus casei AACE 4, and Lactobacillus pabuli AACE 5) on the immune system, growth performance, and antioxidant capability of Nandan Yao Chickens. Following a 21-day feeding period during which 180 one-day-old Nandan Yao Chickens received one of five Lactobacillus strains (1×106 CFU/g) or a control diet, three chickens per group were euthanized for sample collection. Blood and tissues were analyzed to evaluate immune function, antioxidant status, and gut microbiota composition. The supplementation with Lactobacillus strains enhanced growth and improved gastrointestinal health in Nandan Yao Chickens through both unique and overlapping physiological pathways. Specifically, L. paracasei XLK 401 and L. salivarius 05 were most effective for weight gain. All tested Lactobacillus strains demonstrated immunological safety and exhibited strain-specific improvements in antioxidant capacity (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px). Of particular significance was the observation that four strains reliably enhanced Akkermansia levels, which indicates a targeted, prebiotic-like influence on the composition of the intestinal microbiota. The five Lactobacillus strains significantly improved the growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity and immune function of Nandan Yao Chickens, providing a theoretical basis for the scientific application of lactic acid bacteria in poultry farming.

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ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of probiotics added to rations with different protein levels on growth performance and ileal Escherichia coli (E. coli) populations in local ducks. A total of 240 Alabio ducks were allocated to five treatments, with six replications, in a completely randomized design. Treatments were: T1=control (basal diet/BD); T2=BD+4000 ppm probiotic; T3=BD with reduced protein (starter 16% CP, grower 14% CP)+4000 ppm probiotic; T4=BD with further-reduced protein (starter 14%) CP, grower 12% CP+4000 ppm probiotic; T5=BD+4000 ppm commercial probiotic. Parameters were feed intake, body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, ileal E. coli counts, and mortality. Probiotic supplementation significantly improved performance in the starter and grower. Mortality was 1.25% across treatments. During the starter, the higher LBW was T5 (448 g/duck), and the lower was T4 (339 g/duck). Meanwhile, the lower FC was T1 (835 g/duck), and the worst was T5 (911 g/duck and the higher body weight gain was T5 (408 g/duck). T1 and T5 were similar on FCR (211 vs 2.23 g/g). The grower showed no significant differences (p>0.05) among all treatments for FC, LBW, and BWG, but significant differences for FCR. The best FCR was T4 (2.73 g/g) and the worst was T5 (3.07 g/g). The probiotic also reduced the number of E. coli in the ileum. It was concluded that the combination of giving 4000 ppm probiotics and low protein levels (12%) improved the performance of local ducks and reduced the population of ileal E. coli in local ducks at various levels of feed protein.

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ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine the chemical composition and energetic value of passion fruit seed (PFS) and evaluate the inclusion of PFS in quail diets regarding performance, carcass characteristics, litter quality, meat lipid stability, and economic viability. In the metabolism assay, 108 21-day-old quails were distributed in a completely randomized design, with one reference diet and two test diets substituting 20% and 40% of the reference diet with PFS, and 6 replications of 6 quails. The AMEn values determined were 4,214.00 kcal/kg DM and 4,127.33 kcal/kg DM for 20% and 40% PFS, respectively. In the performance assay, 432 quails aged 7 to 42 days were distributed in a completely randomized design with inclusion levels of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% of PFS, with 6 replications of 12 quails. The results show that feed conversion increased starting at a PFS inclusion of 15%. A linear increase was observed in the percentage of gizzards from quails fed with 25% PFS, along with a linear effect on economic variables starting from a 20% inclusion. It was concluded that PFS can be used at a level of up to 15% in the diets of meat quails aged 7 to 42 days.

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ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the economic viability of replacing sawdust and rice husk bedding with plastic flooring in broiler chicken production, using simulation methods. The viability indicators used were the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), modified internal rate of return (MIRR), profitability index (PI), discounted payback period (DPP), and equivalent uniform annual value (EUAV). Scenario analysis, sensitivity analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation were conducted in this study. The results revealed that the initial investment required to implement plastic flooring was R$ 350,000.00. The average price paid for the manure produced was R$ 250.00 per ton, which was converted into revenue in the project’s cash flow. The cash flow result was positive, with an NPV of R$ 64,786.23 over the entire study period. The IRR was 18.5% per annum, and the MIRR was 16.7% per annum, confirming the project’s economic viability given the market conditions at the time of the study. The profitability index (PI) was 1.35, indicating high profitability, whereas the discounted payback period (DPP) was 4.5 years, indicating an adequate time to recover the investment. The Monte Carlo simulation highlighted a low risk of negative NPV, emphasizing the project’s economic robustness. In addition to the economic benefits, the adoption of plastic flooring improved hygiene and welfare, reduced waste production, and enhanced the sustainability of poultry production. These factors make replacing flooring with plastic a promising choice for poultry producers with the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, replacing conventional bedding with plastic flooring in broiler production is economically viable, improving profitability and promoting sustainability in poultry production.

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ABSTRACT This study investigated the significance of layer chicken genotype on hatchling weight, growth performance and egg quality traits using a total of 312 Hy-Line and Akbay layer chickens. The body weight (BW) during most of the rearing period and the initial egg-laying cycle was significantly higher for the Hy-Line genotype as compared to the Akbay (p<0.05). Egg weight (EW) (at 28, 32, and 44 wk), egg length (EL) (at 32 wk), egg diameter (ED) (at 28, 32, 36, and 44 wk), eggshell thickness (EST) (at 24, 28, 36, 44, and 48 wk), and shell weight (SW) (at 24, 28, 32, 44, and 48 wk) were significantly higher among Hy-Line than Akbay (p<0.05). The egg breaking strength (EBS) at 24 weeks was higher for the Akbay genotype; however, the EBS at 44 and 48 weeks of age was higher among Hy-Line birds (p<0.05). The yolk height (YH) (28 and 32 wk) and yolk index (YI) (28 wk) were significantly higher for Hy-Line than Akbay hens (p<0.05). At 44 weeks, the a* value was higher for the Akbay genotype; however, the a* value was higher for Hy-Line hens at 52 weeks (p<0.05). Additionally, the b* value at 28 weeks was higher among Akbay hens than Hy-Line hens (p<0.05). The albumen length (AL) (at 28 and 44 wk), albumen diameter (AD) (at 28, 40, and 44 wk), and albumen pH (A-pH) (at 28 wk) were significantly higher among Akbay hens; however, the albumen height (AH) (at 24 and 28 wk), albumen index (AI) (at 28 wk), and Haugh unit (HU) (at 28 wk) were significantly higher for Hy-Line hens (p<0.05). It was concluded that, compared to the Akbay strain, Hy-Line was characterized by superior growth performance and other external and internal traits with economic importance, including egg weight, breaking strength, Haugh unit, and shell thickness.

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ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the effect of in-feed antibiotic (enramycin), prebiotic (Actigen®+XOS), and bioactive peptides (BPs, Lassotide+®) derived from Bacillus subtilis fermentation on broiler performance, immune response, gut health, and nutrient utilization. A total of 900 male broiler chicks (Ross-308) were acquired and randomly allocated into six feeding treatments: (1) Control, fed with basal diet; (2) Antibiotic; basal diet + enramycin at 200g/ton in starter and grower phases; (3) Pre; basal diet + prebiotic at 400g/kg in both starter and grower phases; (4) L2SF; basal diet + BPs at 200g/ton in both starter and grower phase; (5) L2S, basal diet with BPs at 200g/ton only in the starter phase (6) L2F; basal diet supplemented with BPs at 200g/ton exclusively in the grower phase. The results indicated that body weight gain was significantly higher (p≤0.05) in the L2SF group as compared to the control during the overall period. Correspondingly, L2SF showed superior (p≤0.05) nutrient utilization, feed conversion ratio, and carcass traits as compared to the control group. The birds in the L2SF group showed notably (p≤0.05) diminished levels of pathogenic bacteria in comparison to the control. Moreover, the antibody titer and the weight of the immune organs were considerably (p≤0.05) greater in L2SF as compared to the control group. The findings of the present study demonstrate that the inclusion of BPs (Lassotide+®) at 200g/t in both starter and grower phases can successfully replace antibiotics and possess equivalent or better potential compared to prebiotics.

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ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of three commonly used imported infectious bronchitis (IB) vaccines on the health and production of broilers. Two hundred and forty day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four groups (six replicates of ten birds each). The control group received no vaccine administration, while groups IB4-91, IBMa5C, and IBH-120 were vaccinated against IB vaccines on days 7 and 21. The vaccine used in Group IB4-91 was from Nobilis®, Vety-Care Pvt Ltd, in group IBMa5 from Nobilis®, and in group IBH-120 from Medivac, Hilton Pharma. Growth performance parameters (feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio) were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the groups throughout the 35-day trial. However, immune response and mortality were significantly influenced by vaccine type. Group IB4-91 showed a significantly higher antibody titer (p=0.032) and achieved 0% mortality, which was significantly lower (p=0.030) than the other groups. In contrast, control, IBMa5, and IBH-120 all displayed 3.33% mortality and exhibited mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, with post-mortem findings revealing tracheal and lung congestion. It is concluded that while the tested imported vaccines did not impact growth, the IB4-91 vaccine provided superior protection, as evidenced by the highest antibody titers and the complete absence of mortality.

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ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of poppy seed (PS, Papaver somniferum) supplementation on the growth performance, organ weight, intestinal histomorphology, and economics of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) production. A total of 240-day-old unsexed Japanese quails obtained from a local market were divided into four groups: C, PS10, PS15, and PS20 in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was further divided into 6 replicates, with 10 quails per replicate. Group C was designated as the control group, while groups PS10, PS15, and PS20 were supplemented with PS at respectively 10, 15, and 20 g/kg in their feed for 35 days. The results showed significantly increased feed intake (449.4 g), weight gain (125.0 g), and better feed conversion ratio (3.50) in the PS20 diet group compared with the C. Similarly, significantly higher organ weight, villus height (0.990 mm) and ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH: CD) (6.08), and the lowest crypt depth (0.164 mm) were observed in the PS20 diet group. Similarly, PS20 showed the highest gross return, net return, and cost-benefit ratio (CBR), and the lowest mortality rate as compared with all other groups. The results of this study suggest that adding PS to quails’ feed can improve growth performance, reduce mortality, and enhance intestinal morphology, making it a promising approach to enhancing quail productivity.