Quails Response to Aqueous Extract of Bush Marigold (Aspilia africana) Leaf

Problem statement: The effects of inclusion of aqueous extract of Bush marigold (Aspilia africana) leaf in quail diet were investigated. One hundred and fifty Japanese quail chicks were used in the study. Approach: In the 14-weeks feeding experiment, the birds were assigned to five treatments of; 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10% inclusion of aqueous extract of Bush marigold leaf. Each treatment had 3 replicates of 10 birds per replicate in a randomized complete block design. Results: The results indicated that feeding Aqueous extract of Bush Marigold Leaf (AeBML) did not affect (p>0.05) daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass yield. Mortality and % cracked eggs were reduced (p<0.01). Feed intake and dressed weight of growing quails were significantly (p>0.05) affected by dietary supplementations with AeBML. Egg number and hen day production increased (p<0.001) as level of AeBML increased, though egg weight decreased (p<0.01). Feeding AeBML improved (p<0.001) albumen weight, shell thickness and yolk colour when compared to the control. Conclusion: The study concluded that dietary inclusion of up to 5% aqueous extract of bush marigold leaf in the diets of growing and laying quails could enhance growth performance and egg production traits.