Evaluation of growth performance, ileum morphology, nutrient digestibility and blood biochemical indices of Japanese quail fed olive pulp

To determine the effects of olive pulp(OP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood indices and intestinal morphology in Japanese quail, A total of 352 days-old quail were allocated to four treatments with four replicates (22 birds each). Excreta were quantitatively collected during 18-21 days of age for measurement digestibility of nutrient. The dietary treatments were included control (0%) and the levels of four, eight and 12 percent OP. At 35 days old, from each replicate, two quails were randomly selected and slaughtered. The dietary treatments did not influence weight gain, feed intake, and FCR. The OP did not influence the relative weight of carcass, breast, thigh, heart, and spleen, but the highest relative weight of liver and gizzard were observed in 12 percent OP (p < 0.05). The ileum villus height was higher in birds fed OP as compared to control(p < 0.05). Crude protein and crude fat digestibility in chickens fed 12% OP and was increased compared to control (p < 0.05). Ash and phosphorous digestibility increased in chickens received 8% OP compare to control (p < 0.05). The olive pulp decreased the plasma MDA concentration as compared to control (p < 0.05), however, treatments had no significant effects on other blood indices. The lowest enzyme activity of AST was observed in the control and the highest enzyme activity of GPx and SOD were observed in 12% OP (p < 0.05). The results were indicated that the inclusion of olive pulp up to 12% had no detrimental effects on growth performance and blood lipid profile but significantly decreased plasma malondialdehyde (p < 0.05).