The effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seeds supplement to the ration on growth and egg yield of Japanese quails

In this study, the effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed added to the ration on the growth and egg production characteristics of quails was investigated. For this purpose, 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% black cumin seed dose groups were formed. There was also a 0% dose group without black cumin seed. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the black cumin seed dose groups in terms of weekly body weight and weight gain characteristics of quails up to 4 weeks of age. In addition, no separation was found in the weekly feed consumption and feed conversion rates obtained from the black seed dose groups up to 4 weeks of age. However, only the group with the highest daily feed consumption of female quails between the ages of 6 and 9 weeks was the 0% dose group. The consumption of the control group was higher than the 1% dose group, which had the lowest feed consumption, by 12.58%. In addition, weekly egg weight averages obtained from 0% dose group were found to be lower than some black cumin seed dose groups. There was no difference in the number of eggs per quail in the trial. As a result of the research, it was determined that black cumin seed reduced the feed consumption of quails during the egging-period without causing any negative effects on average egg weight and egg number.