The effect of chitosan oligosaccaride given by drinking water on laying quails

The Effect of Chitosan Oligosaccharide Given by Drinking Water on Laying Quails The aim of this study was to determine the effects of chitosan oligosaccharide on feed convertion ratio, some egg quality parameters (egg weight, shape index, yolk index, albumen index, yolk color, Haugh unit, shell thickness, the ratio of egg shell, Ca , P and Mg levels of shell with some blood parameters (serum albumin, total protein, ALT, AST, triglyceride, cholesterol, Ca, P, Mg, Cl, Na, K) in Japanese quail. Chitosan oligosaccharide was given via drinking water to quails. A total of 192 Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged 7 weeks were used. They were divided in to one control and 3 treatment groups each containing 48 quail. Each group was divided into 6 subgroups containing 8 quails. No additives were added to the control group drinking water. Chitosan oligosaccharide was added to the drinking water of the first, second and third experimental groups at the levels of 0,015; 0,030 and 0,045 g/L, respectively. Water and feed were given ad libitum. No statistical difference was found in terms of initial and final live weights, feed conversion ratio, egg yield, egg weight, shape index, yolk index, albumen index, Haugh unit, yolk color, crudeash of egg shell, shell thickness and some blood parameters. In the group that consumed chitosan oligosaccharide 0,015 g/L, it was observed that feed consumption decreased significantly compared to the control group, however, the difference between the other experimental groups was insignificant. The egg shell weight of the second experimental group, in which 0,030 g/L chitosan oligosaccharide was added to the drinking water, was similar to the other experimental groups, while it was found to be significantly higher (P <0.05) compared to the control group. As a result, it has been observed that the addition of chitosan oligosaccharide to drinking water has no negative effect on laying quails. Keywords: Quail, chitosan oligosaccharide, feed convertion ratio, egg quality.