Effect of feeding of peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils on the performance of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

Researchers are challenged to identify effective feed additives that enhance feed utilization efficiency in poultry production. The present study evaluated the effects of dietary peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils on growth performance, carcass traits, and production economics in quails over a five-week period. A completely randomized design was employed with five treatments, three replications, and twelve birds per experimental unit. The treatments included: T0 (basal diet, control), T1 (basal diet + 0.2% peppermint essential oil), T2 (basal diet + 0.2% eucalyptus essential oil), T3 (basal diet + 0.1% peppermint + 0.1% eucalyptus essential oil), and T4 (basal diet + 0.05% peppermint + 0.05% eucalyptus essential oil). Growth performance was assessed weekly and during starter (1–2 weeks), finisher (3–5 weeks), and overall (1–5 weeks) periods. Results revealed that supplementation with peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils significantly (P < 0.05) reduced feed intake, enhanced body weight gain, and improved feed conversion ratio, with the best overall performance observed in the T3 group. Carcass evaluation showed significantly higher dressed yield (with and without giblets) and improved cut-up parts, including breast, thigh, drumstick, and neck weights. The highest thigh, breast, and neck weights were recorded in T3, while maximum drumstick weight was observed in T2. It is concluded that peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils can be effectively utilized as feed additives in quail diets to improve growth performance, carcass quality, and profitability.