Cost-Effective Production of Safe Quail Egg with Medicinal Plant as an Alternative to Antibiotics

The study aims to evaluate the effects of Neem Leaf Extract (N LE) and Moringa Leaf Extract (MLE) on Quail’s performance for cost-effective egg production along with their pathogenic microbial load reduction in the gut as an alternative to antibiotics. A 75-day feeding trial on 27-sc-old I 60-layer Japanese quails was taken and distributed randomly into five groups titled T I, T2, T3, T4, and T5 were given basal feed, basal + antibiotic, NLE + MLE (1.2%), NLE + MLE (1.0%), and Neem + Moringa (0.75%) respectively. Live weight showed a significant difference between the T2 and the T I group. T5 showed the best FCR (P < 0.05) (2.52 + 0.03^d) compared to T2 (3.18 + 0.03^a). However, egg production and weight were significant in T5 compared to control and other treatments. In the case of economic profit, the highest gross return (Tk. I 102.00), net return (Tk. 377.40), and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) (1.55) was noted from T5, whereas T4 gave the lowest gross return (Tk. 1040.00) and BCR (I.46). T5 also showed the lowest number of (5.15 + 0.41^C). Salmonella sp. whereas T3 showed the highest number of (8.22 + 0.32^ab) Salmonella sp. So, NLE + MLE (0.75%) can be considered an alternative to antibiotics to produce safe eggs for human consumption, which is also economically beneficial.

Introduction

Quail farming in Bangladesh started in the 1990s, gradually increased till 2009, and declined after that [1]. Quail eggs are an excellent dietary source of protein for human health. Tunsaringkarn et al. [2] said that quail eggs contain a high nutritional content of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamin E, sex hormones, nitrogen, iron, and zinc minerals. Most of the growth-stimulating substances are manmade drugs given to poultry that have more extended residual properties on humans [3]. Herbal feed additives also improve nutrient utilization, absorption, and immune system stimulation [4]. Moringa olefera leaf extract contains vitamins like A, B, and C at different acceptance levels. A rare glucosinolate named glucomoringin is also possessed in Moringa oleifera leaf extract, which is a potent anti-proliferative and antimicrobial agent [5]. Numerous studies have investigated various effects of NLE and MLE individually in chicken and duck, aiming to use natural sources to reduce health hazards for humans and can accurately work as an alternative to antibiotics. However, more work must be done in Quail to increase cost-effective egg production, which is the most prolific poultry sub-sector after chicken. The bitter test of neem loss of appetite and the high fiber content of Moringa cause digestive disturbance in the monogastric animal when used individually. No research has been done yet to observe their combined effect as an alternative to antibiotics, as both of them complement each other by overcoming their lack. Therefore, this experiment was done to decide the production performance of Japanese laying Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in antibiotic-free egg production using a perfect concentration combination of NLE and MLE with clean water as supplementation to reduce pathogenic micro-organisms by proper use of their photogenic features which also cost-effective.

Materials and Methods

A total of 160 commercial layers, ranging in age from 27 days. For this investigation, Japanese quails were raised in a case-rearing system for a maximum of 10 weeks. The birds are divided into five (5) nutritional treatment groups at random, each consisting of 32 laying Quail, and four (4) replications of each treatment group, each consisting of 8 birds. T1 stands for control, T2 for antibiotics (1 ml in 1 L of drinking water for seven days), T3 for 0.25% neem + 0.25% moringa (1.2%), T4 for 0.25% neem + 0.25% moringa (1%), and T5 for 0.25% neem + 0.25% moringa (0.75%).

Management Procedure

For the length of the trial, the mean temperature of the room was 20°C–24°C, and the humidity level was 55%–60%. To prevent bird illnesses, chicks were vaccinated in accordance with the recommended immunization schedule. To prevent the birds from contracting coccidiosis, 2 g of coxicure per L of water was utilized. 1 ml of antibiotic was added to 1 L of drinking water. Total egg production and total feed intake per bird in each replication were used to determine the FCR. Data on weekly feed consumption, weekly live weight, and daily feed consumption were also recorded. Every day, the amount of eggs produced and their overall weight were noted.

Media Preparation

The instruments were first autoclaved for 15 min at 121°C. SS agar was employed by the author to prepare the medium. The company claims that after the media was ready, it was placed into the petri dishes and allowed to freeze. The petri dishes were then kept overnight at 37°C in the incubator. Early in the morning, samples of both feces and eggs were taken from each replication using different twigs in an Eppendorf tube. Replication names, such as T1R1, T4R3, T2R3, T5R2, and so on, were written on the exterior of each Eppendorf tube following sample collection.

Dilution

Eight test tubes were obtained, each holding 9 ml of Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS). 1 ml of the thoroughly mixed material was taken and measured using the pipette. The first tube was then filled with the sample, bringing the total volume to 10 ml (9 ml diluent, 1 ml sample). This yields a 10–1 initial dilution. Once more, 1 ml of the 10–1 dilution was extracted and transferred into the second tube. After determining that the second tube’s total dilution factor was 10, the same procedure was repeated for the other tubes, transferring 1 ml from the first tube to the subsequent 9 ml of diluent.

Incubation

A diluted sample was added to the media, and it was then incubated for the entire night at 37°C to check for bacterial growth.

Colony Counting

The incubated petri dishes were checked for colony count the next day. The bottom of the dish, where the colony was expanding, was marked with a marker. The colony was then counted using colony counters. The number of colonies was counted and documented.

Statistical Analysis

The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used to apply ANOVA to the data for statistical analysis.

Results

Live Weight

At the end of the study, all treatment groups revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in the overall mean live weight among different groups (Table I). In the T5 (0.75% of neem + Moringa), the Quail’s weight was the lowest (175.79 g ± 5.28 g) (Table I) compared with the other groups. While quails of T2 (Antibiotic) and T3 (1.2% of neem + moringa) had increased weight (184.75 g ± 0.77 g and 184.56 g ± 4.20 g, correspondingly) (Table I) more than other treatment groups.

Table I. Effect of Different Levels of Supplementation of NLE and MLE on Live Weight (LW), Feed Consumption (FC), FCR, Egg Production, %HDEP and Livability of Quails

Treatments	LW (g)	FCR	Egg production(number/week)	%HDEP	Livability
T1	182.38 ± 5.16	3.15 ± 0.03a	6.19 ± 1.19	86.92a ± 3.25	97.00ab ± 3.00
T2	184.75 ± 0.77	3.18 ± 0.03a	6.09 ± 1.25	83.10a ± 4.05	94.00b ± 3.50
T3	184.56 ± 4.20	2.82 ± 0.03b	6.41 ± 1.32	83.61a ± 3.91	97.00ab ± 3.00
T4	178.66 ± 5.07	2.73 ± 0.03c	6.25 ± 2.12	68.75b ± 4.97	100.0a ± 00
T5	175.79 ± 5.28	2.52 ± 0.03d	6.78 ± 3.01	83.84a ± 1.46	94.50b ± 3.30
Level of significance	NS	*	NS	*	*

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

In the case of (FCR), statistical analysis showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) at the 10th and 11th week of age. Finally, T5 (0.75% of neem + moringa) showed the top FCR (2.52 ± 0.03^d) compared to that of other treatments (Table I). Results showed poor FCR in the T2 (Antibiotic) (3.18 ± 0.03^a) as the quails of this group had a high feed consumption rate.

Egg Production

The quails started laying eggs on the 41^st day or 6^th week. Egg production was significantly influenced (P < 0.05) due to different supplementation treatments for the Japanese quail’s diet (Table I). Results indicated that the treatment T5 (0.75% of neem + moringa) showed the overall best performance on egg production in number compared to other feed supplementation treatments.

%HDEP

The highest % HDEP (91.58 ± 2.92) and the lowest (64.28 ± 6.56) were found in T5 (0.75% of neem + moringa) and T4 (1.0% of neem + Moringa), respectively (Table I).

Microbial Load

Microbial Load (Salmonella Population; CFU/gm)

Different supplementation treatments on the feed diet of Japanese Quail showed significant variation (P > 0.05) in the number of Salmonella sp. in the feces (Table II).

Table II. Effect of Supplementation of NLE and MLE on Microbial Load (Faces Contains; CFU/gm)

Treatments	Faeces (×103 CFU/g)
T1	9.52 ± 1.13bc
T2	5.38 ± 1.12a
T3	8.22 ± 0.32ab
T4	7.05 ± 0.98ab
T5	5.15 ± 0.41c
Significant level	*

Economic Analysis

It was revealed that Neem + moringa powder @ 0.75% as a feed supplement in Japanese Quail’s diet ensured higher productive performance, which resulted in the highest return (Table III). From an economic point of view, it is apparent from the above results that treatment T5 (Neem + moringa − 0.75%) was more profitable than the rest of the treatment combinations for quail production.

Table III. Effects of Supplementation of NLE and MLE on Cost of Production, Income, and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of Japanese Laying Quail

Treatment	Total cost of production (Tk.)	Income from egg and bird (Tk.)		Gross income (Tk.)	Net income (Tk.)	BCR
		Egg selling price (Tk.) (EP)	Selling price of birds at the end of 7th week (Tk.) (BP)
T1	710.00	540.00	543.20	1083.20	373.20	1.53
T2	750.00	531.00	526.40	1057.40	307.40	1.49
T3	740.00	525.00	543.20	1068.20	328.20	1.50
T4	730.00	480.00	560.00	1040.00	310.00	1.46
T5	725.00	576.00	526.40	1102.40	377.40	1.55

Discussion

Live Weight and FCR

Very little research was found on laying quail. In our study, significant differences found in the live weight of the broiler were mostly similar to the results found by Meel and Sharma [6]. The growth of the birds might be due to their high protein content, ability to decrease pathogenic organisms, and increasing digestibility of the diet that was potentially metabolized for increasing live weight. As a result, the FCR also showed positive signs, which was very significant and similar to Meel and Sharma [6]. However, some contradictory results were also found in the experiment conducted by Hafsa et al. [7], in which the feed intake was decreased, as well as live weight and FCR. Kouatcho et al. [8] also found significant variation among treatments with moringa supplementation regarding feed conversion ratio (FCR).

Egg Production

In this study, 0.75% of the NLE and MLE mixtures showed the most significance for egg production, resulting in the highest egg production compared to other supplemented diet groups. A study conducted by Al-Ashour et al. [9] supplied Moringa leaf meal at 0.1% with diet, resulting in a similar opinion. Abu and Akangbe [10] reported that 2% of Moringa leaf meal increased production performance, and they found significant results in their study. A similar result was found by Al-Ashoor et al. [9], which showed significant differences among the treatment groups.

Economic Effect

Farmers are also concerned about the side effects of antibiotics on the human body. Paul et al. [11] stated that Neem Leaf Extract was found to be more inexpensive than antibiotic and control units in the cost-benefit analysis. However, a non-significant difference was also found by González-Eras et al. [12]. In a developing country like Bangladesh, the cost of antibiotics is very high for farmers. Moreover, antibiotics have hazardous long-term residual effects on human health. If the research findings were successful as expected, it would be very helpful for the farmers of Bangladesh.

Conclusion

The results of this study revealed that a combination of 0.25% NLE and 0.25% MLE with drinking water may be used as a growth enhancer and an alternative to antibiotics in the Japanese quail diets without serious adverse effects. A 0.75% mixture of moringa and neem leaf extract can increase the production performance of the laying Japanese quails and significantly affect the microbial loads in the feces of Japanese quails when we consider the economic feasibility. NLE + MLE @ 0.75% as water supplement confirmed higher productive performance, which resulted in the highest return. From a financial point of view, it is apparent from the above results that treatment T5 (Neem + moringa − 0.75%) was the more profitable of laying Quail. It was discovered that, in every aspect, medicinal plant sources are better than synthetic antibiotics for the well-being of humans, as well as the quail itself at a concentration combination of 0.75% of NLE and MLE with water.