Chick mortality in bobwhite quail as affected by supplemental ascorbic acid.

Area of Science:

• Avian nutrition
• Poultry science
• Animal physiology

Background:

• Ascorbic acid (AA), or vitamin C, is crucial for various physiological functions in animals.
• Poultry, especially young chicks, may have limited endogenous synthesis of AA, necessitating dietary supplementation.
• Optimizing nutrition is key to improving survival rates and feed efficiency in commercial poultry production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of dietary ascorbic acid supplementation on bobwhite quail chick mortality, growth, and feed conversion.
• To determine dose-dependent responses to ascorbic acid in young quail.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted with bobwhite quail chicks from 1 to 7 days of age.
• Chicks received 0, 50, or 500 ppm of ascorbic acid (AA) in their drinking water.
• Mortality, body weight, and feed conversion were monitored over a 3-week period.

Main Results:

• Both 50 and 500 ppm of AA significantly decreased mortality during the first 7 days and over the entire 3-week study period.
• The 500 ppm AA group showed improved feed conversion ratio throughout the 3-week study.
• Body weight of the quail chicks was not significantly affected by AA supplementation at either dose.

Conclusions:

• Ascorbic acid supplementation can effectively reduce early-life mortality in bobwhite quail chicks.
• Higher levels of AA (500 ppm) may enhance feed utilization efficiency in growing quail.
• Further research could explore the specific mechanisms by which AA impacts quail health and metabolism.