Effects of Salbutamol on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Summary The effects of feeding diets containing Salbutamol (0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 mg/kg diet) from 21 to 49 days of age on growth performance and carcass characteristics in 180 male and 180 female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were studied using a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design. Gender had significant effect on weight gain (P 0.05). Salbutamol increased (P 0.05) by Salbutamol administration. Gender affected leg weight (P<0.05), breast weight, relative weight of leg and liver weight (P<0.01). The breast weight, leg weight and liver weight were significantly higher in females than males but relative weight of leg was significantly lower (P<0.01) in females. The breast weight, relative weight of breast and relative weight of leg were significantly affected by Salbutamol. Gender, Salbutamol and their interactions did not affect the chemical composition of breast muscle. The results of the experiment demonstrated that, Salbutamol had beneficial effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics and it seems that feeding 7 mg Salbutamol/kg diet was more effective in female than male Japanese quails.