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

The effects of feeding diets containing Salbutamol (0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 mg/kg diet) from 21 to 49 days of ageon growth performance and carcass characteristics in 180 male and 180 female Japanese quails (Coturnixjaponica) were studied using a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design. Gender hadsignificant effect on weight gain (Pwere not statistically significant (P>0.05). Salbutamol increased (Pmagnitude of increasing was greater in females. Weight gain in males and females receiving the dietcontaining 7 mg Salbutamol/kg increased by 13 and 10 g, respectively compared to the control groups. Foodintake was affected by Salbutamol and was higher (PSalbutamol increased food intake in male and decreased in female quails (Pgroups. Food intake was lowest in females fed 7 mg Salbutamol/kg diet. The food conversion ratio (FCR) was lower (better) (P0.05) by Salbutamol administration. Gender affected leg weight (P(Prelative weight of leg was significantly lower (Pbreast 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.