Stocking density plays a vital role in maximizing farm profitability by optimizing production per unit area within poultry facilities
22. As the poultry industry increasingly prioritizes the balance between animal welfare and production costs, the spatial requirements for birds have become a significant consideration, encompassing not only large-scale production but also health and economic factors. The relationship between optimal stocking density, health status, and economic performance has been extensively investigated across various poultry species, including broilers managed under both extensive and intensive systems
23. Among the primary economic indicators, BW at the conclusion of the rearing period is particularly important. Previous studies have demonstrated that dietary supplementation with purslane-derived products, including purslane extract, crude polysaccharides, and dried herbs, can improve BW in broiler chickens, mice, and rabbits
14,24,25. Conversely, in the present study, quails exposed to higher stocking densities (HS0 and HS2 groups) showed reduced final BW and average daily gain compared to the control group, although these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). This outcome contrasts with findings from Estevez et al.
26 and Özbey et al.
27, who reported that increased stocking density elevates stress levels in poultry, thereby adversely affecting weight gain. The observed discrepancy may be explained by the relatively lower initial BW of the quails at the start of the experiment, which likely contributed to lower final weights overall. Additionally, the reduced total live weight per unit area throughout this study, compared to previous research, may have mitigated the impact of stocking density
23.
In terms of feed intake, weekly measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between groups only during days 29 to 35 days of age (p<0.05), while no significant differences were observed between groups during other weeks. When considering the entire experimental period, the highest feed intake was recorded in the control group with low stocking density (20.13 g), whereas significantly lower feed intake was detected in the high stocking density groups (p<0.05). This finding aligns with the results reported by Jayalakshmi et al.28, who indicated that insufficient space reduces airflow at the animal level, increasing temperature, humidity, and ammonia levels, which in turn limits access to feed and water. Furthermore, increased stocking density intensifies competition for feeders and drinkers, potentially preventing subordinate individuals from consuming adequate nutrients. Accordingly, the reduced feed intake observed in the high-density groups is likely attributable to both microclimatic deterioration and social stress29. Additionally, the non-significant effect of purslane extract supplementation on feed intake in the high stocking density groups (HS0 and HS2) is consistent with findings from Özcan et al.30, who reported similar results when using comparable levels of purslane.
FCR, an important indicator of economic efficiency and profitability, showed no significant differences between groups during the weekly measurements throughout the study. However, similar to feed intake, a statistically significant difference was observed between groups when evaluated over the entire experimental period (p<0.05). Previous studies examining the effects of stocking density in binary comparisons have reported higher feed conversion ratios in groups subjected to high stocking densities, attributed to environmental stress factors23,31. In the present study, the inclusion of purslane extract resulted in a significant improvement in feed conversion efficiency compared to the other groups. Shehata and Abd El-Krim32 reported that purslane extract enhances antioxidant defense mechanisms by preventing cellular damage caused by free radicals, thereby preserving tissue integrity and positively influencing growth performance. Similarly, Güngören et al.33 demonstrated that the high content of ascorbic acid and flavonoids in purslane exerts anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging effects, which minimize oxidative damage induced by stress conditions in animals, supporting growth and development. These biochemical interactions suggest that the use of purslane as a dietary supplement can mitigate stress-related performance declines, improving weight gain and overall health status7,8.
No statistically significant differences were observed between groups in terms of slaughter weight, cold carcass weight, and carcass yield (p>0.05). These results indicate that neither stocking density nor purslane supplementation had a significant effect on these parameters. Among the internal organs examined, a significant difference was found only in gizzard weight (p<0.05), suggesting that purslane may exert specific effects on the digestive system. On the other hand, the weights of the breast, thigh, back, and other carcass parts were not affected by purslane supplementation. These findings are consistent with those reported by Sur Arslan et al.31, who found no significant impact of stress on muscle metabolism and carcass characteristics. Overall, the data indicate that stocking density and purslane supplementation do not cause significant positive or negative changes in carcass efficiency during production.
In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that while live body weight remained unaffected, feed conversion rate improved with purslane supplementation under high stocking density conditions. These findings suggest that incorporating natural antioxidants such as purslane may help mitigate stress-related inefficiencies in intensive quail production. Future research should focus on determining optimal dosing strategies and elucidating the physiological mechanisms behind these benefits to promote more sustainable and profitable poultry farming.
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