APPLE CIDER VINEGAR SUPPLEMENTATION ENHANCES GROWTH PERFORMANCE, FEED EFFICIENCY, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES IN JAPANESE QUAILS

Abstract

Vinegar, known as acetic acid, is a short-chain fatty acid used to improve poultry growth and digestive health due to its antibacterial properties and ability to provide energy to epithelial cells. Many food products include acetic acid, which prevents the growth of pathogenic germs in the feed, hence preserving the amount of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal system. The use of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry may result in antibiotic resistance and the accumulation of toxic residues in different chicken products, endangering poultry and human health. Apple cider vinegar is a phytogenic chemical that has sparked widespread interest due to its capacity to enhance performance. This study represents how drinking water enriched with ACV affects the growth performance of Japanese quail species. For this reason, 600 quails were randomly assigned to five experimental groups, each with six replicates and 20 chicks, using a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group had a basal diet and fresh drinking water, whereas Groups A, B, C, and D were given ACV in their drinking water at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, and 4 ml per liter, respectively. All groups adhered to the identical eating plan. The trial lasted 35 days and consisted of two phases: grower and finisher. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model procedures of Statistics 8.1. Where the main effects were significant, Tukey's test was employed to separate the means. Dietary inclusion of ACV had a substantial effect (p<0.05) on the body weight of quails. There were substantial differences in initial body weight across treatment groups (p<0.05). There were substantial changes in total feed consumption across treatment groups (p<0.05). Dietary ACV substantially altered the feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Blood glucose levels and lipid concentrations remained steady between treatments, with no significant change. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) on immunological markers. Significant influences on skeletal characteristics (p < 0.05). Finally, ACV boosted the performance of Japanese quail.