Effect of Whey on Productive Performance, Litter Moisture, Carcass Characteristics, and Intestinal Histological Indicators in Japanese Quail
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijapm.2026.42.01.08Keywords:
Japanese quail, whey, productive traits, carcass characteristics, intestinal histologyAbstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding whey as a natural feed supplement to drinking water at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% for 12 hours daily on productive performance, litter moisture, carcass characteristics, intestinal microbiological and morphological indicators in Japanese quail. One hundred and eighty one-day-old, unsexed birds were reared for 42 days and randomly assigned to four treatments, with 3 replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate, using a completely randomized design. The results, compared to the control treatment, showed that adding 10% whey resulted in a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in live body weight and weight gain, with no significant differences between treatments in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or mortality rate. The control treatment showed a significant decrease in litter moisture compared to the treatments with whey addition. Regarding carcass characteristics, the 10% whey treatment resulted in the highest carcass weight, dressing percentage, and heart relative weight, while the 20% whey treatment resulted in the lowest abdominal fat relative weight. No significant differences were found in the relative weights of carcass cuts (breast and thighs) or internal organs (liver, spleen, and Bursa of Fabricius). Microbiologically, Lactobacillus counts increased in the cecum at the 10% level and decreased at the 20% level. In contrast, coliform counts increased only in the 20% treatment, with no significant differences in the other treatments. Histologically, whey addition significantly increased (P < 0.05) villus height in the duodenum, jejunum, and cecum, with the 10% level showing the highest values and the 20% level the lowest. Crypt depth increased in the jejunum and ileum at the 20% level, with no significant change in the duodenum. The 10% treatment significantly increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum and ileum, while no significant differences were observed in the jejunum. The study concludes that adding 10% whey to drinking water represents the most efficient level for improving growth and intestinal health indicators in Japanese quail, without adverse effects on production efficiency or basic anatomical characteristics.
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