This study was conducted with the objectives to determine the effects of licorice root powder (Glycyrrhriza glabra) on performance, serum parameters, egg yolk cholesterol and antioxidant capacity in laying Japanese quail. Two hundred and forty 10-wk-old Japanese quails were randomly assigned to four dietary groups, each one four times replicated with fifteen quails per dietary groups. Control group fed the basal diet; other groups were fed basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% licorice root powder. There were no significant differences in terms of final live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentration between treatment groups. Egg production was higher in control group and 0.5% licorice root powder supplemented groups. 1.0% licorice root powder supplemented group had lower egg production rate. Licorice root powder supplementation decreased Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) concentration and increased glucose concentration significantly. Licorice root powder supplementation increased total antioxidant status (TAS) and reduced total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI). It was concluded from this study that supplementation of licorice root powder at the level of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% to the feed of laying quails had no adverse effects on performance. Licorice root powder supplementation can be used to reduce cholesterol level and increase antioxidant status in quails.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of alfalfa meal on performance, egg quality, egg yolk cholesterol and hatchability parameters of quail breeders. In this trial a total of 90 Japanese quail breeders (30 males, 60 females), 10 weeks old was distributed 5 experimental groups randomly. Each experimental group consisted of 6 replicates of 3 quails (1 males, 2 females) in each. During the 12 weeks experiment period, birds were fed with 5 dietary groups based on corn and soybean meal and containing 0 (control), 10, 20, 40 and 80 g/kg alfalfa meal. Feed and water were offered ad-libitum throughout the experiment. The different dietary levels of alfalfa meal had no significant effect on body weight change, egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, egg shell breaking strength, egg yolk triglyceride, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs or hatchability of eggs set. The feed intake was decreased with 10 or 20 g/kg alfalfa meal levels in the diet. The eggshell weight was best in quails fed 20 g/kg alfalfa meal, and the egg yolk cholesterol was the lowest in quails fed 40 g/kg alfalfa meal. According to the results of this study the addition of 40 g/kg alfalfa meal in laying quail diets decreased the egg yolk cholesterol levels without adverse effect on performance.