Egg quality and performance of Japanese quail supplemented with organic and inorganic selenium

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the impact of supplementing quail diets with organic selenium (Se) at various concentrations and inorganic Se on performance, egg quality, and storage time under different conditions. In the performance trial, 360 quail aged 27 weeks were included in a completely randomized design comprising six treatments: Basal Diet; 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, and 0.60 ppm of organic Se; and 0.60 ppm of inorganic Se, supplemented “on top” of the basal diet. Six replications were used, each with 10 birds per experimental unit. For the evaluation of storage time and conditions, 720 quail eggs were employed in a completely randomized design. The design featured a 6×5×2 factorial arrangement consisting of six treatments derived from the performance trial, five storage times (7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days), and two storage forms (refrigerated and non-refrigerated). Each replication contained one egg, totaling 12 replications. Results indicated no significant effect of organic or inorganic Se supplementation in the diets on performance or egg quality. However, Se concentration increased linearly in eggs from quail fed increasing levels of this nutrient. Selenium supplementation affected storage time and egg quality under refrigerated and room-temperature conditions. In conclusion, on-top Se supplementation at concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 0.60 ppm, whether in organic or inorganic forms, does not impact quail performance. Nevertheless, it leads to increased Se deposition in eggs, contributing to the maintenance of egg quality throughout the storage period.