The Effect of Common Vetch Seed ( Vicia sativa L.) Added to the Quail Rations on Growth, Carcass Yield and Some Blood Parameters

Authors: Sakine YALÇIN, Adnan ŞEHU, İsmail KAYA

Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the effects of rations containing 5, 10 and 15 % common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) on live weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, carcass yield and total protein and lipid values of blood serum of quails. A total of 300 daily Japanese quail chicks ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) were used in this experiment. They were divided into one control group and three treatment groups each containing 75 quail chicks. The experimental period lasted five weeks. At the end of the study live weights of 2. and 3. groups fed the rations containing 10 and 15 % vetch were found to be statistically lower (p<0.01) than that of control group. During the study of five weeks, 2. and 3. groups consumed 2.87 and 5.41% more feed per one kg live weight gain than that of control group, respectively. There was no statistically difference among the groups in carcass yield. The values of serum total protein and total lipid decreased when the amount of vetch in rations was increasing. The reduction in serum total lipid value of group fed 15 % vetch according to control group and group fed 5 % vetch was found to be significant (p<0.01). At the end of the study it is concluded that common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) can be used at the level of 5 % in the rations of quail broilers.

Keywords: Vetch, quail, live weight gain, feed efficiency, carcass yield, blood parameters

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