Effect of Supplemental Astragalus Root Powder (Astragalus microcephalus) on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Antioxidant Status, and Fatty Acid Composition of Breast Meat in Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

This study investigated the effects of Astragalus root powder (ARP) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, breast meat parameters, and antioxidant status in quail birds. In total, 200 Japanese quails were allocated to four groups, each containing 50 birds (five replicates each, 10 birds/replicate). A basal diet that was fed to the control group without ARP supplementation was formulated; however, the other three groups were fed a basal diet with ARP at levels of 0.1% (ARP1), 0.3% (ARP3), and 0.5% (ARP5). At the end of the study (Day 35), the results revealed a linear decrease in the average daily weight gain ( p = 0.023) with increasing ARP levels, and daily feed intake also decreased ( p = 0.009) among the treatment groups. Liver weight decreased significantly ( p = 0.035), and breast meat showed increased dry matter ( p = 0.010) and crude ash content ( p = 0.010) with ARP inclusion. ARP3 exhibited the highest levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (C22:6 ( n ‐3)) and total n ‐3, enhancing breast meat n ‐3 levels and the n ‐3 to n ‐6 ratio. However, differences between the study groups in feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, antioxidant parameters, and ∑SFA, ∑UFA, ∑MUFA, and ∑PUFA levels were not significant ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary ARP supplementation improved carcass traits and meat composition, with 0.3% ARP enhancing breast meat n‐3 levels; however, further research on the optimal supplementation levels and effects of other Astragalus parts in broilers is needed.