Impact of herbal medicines use on the welfare of laying Japanese quails

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of chamomile, lemon balm, and valerian on stress modulation, evaluating the behavior and tonic immobility of laying Japanese quail. The experimental design was completely randomized with four diets and six replications containing four laying quails (Coturnix japonica) per experimental unit, totaling 96 birds. The herbal medicines studied were control treatment; 500 mg of chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.); 500 mg of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.); 500 mg of valerian per kg feed (Valeriana officinalis L.). There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) on the frequency of bird behaviors. However, tonic immobility showed a difference (p > 0.05) between treatments. The use of chamomile, lemon balm, and valerian herbs (500 mg/kg feed) did not influence the behavior of laying Japanese quails, however, they were able to decrease the tonic immobility time of the birds, with chamomile being the herb that exercised greater effect.