The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis (REO) to quail feed on growth performances, slaughter parameters, meat quality and sanitary hygiene. Six hundred (600) one-day-old quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with an average weight of 7 g ± 0.2 g and an equal gender ratio (1:1) were randomly assigned to four groups - one control group and three experimental groups, each containing 150 subjects divided into 5 batches of 30 quail chicks. The experimental groups received a supplement of 1 g rosemary essential oil (REO) per kilogram of feed, distributed sequentially throughout every phase of breeding. The results of adding this REO supplement demonstrate a significant increase in live weight and weight gain combined with a reduction in the feed consumed and in the consumption index (p<0.002). No cased of death were observed during the breeding period. This supplementation resulted in an increase in liver weight, warm and cold carcass weight and yield. The meat's water retention capacity was improved along with the protein and fat content (p<0.05). The pH recorded 24 and 72 hours post mortem was reduced significantly (p<0.05). The anti-microbial effect of REO gave rise to a significant reduction in faecal coliforms (Escherichia Coli) and Staphylococcus aureus. Essential oil of rosmarinus officinalis could represent a beneficial alternative to antibiotics in increasing weight gain and improving sanitary prophylaxis among quail.

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