The effects of different plant extract supplementation into drinking water egg laying performance and egg quality in second production cycle

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different plant extract supplementation into drinking water egg laying performance and egg quality parameters in second production cycle under commercial conditions. A total of 16657 Nick Brown laying hens in a second production cycle, kept in free-range system, used in the experiment between 75-83 weeks of age. The experimental groups were consisted of three treatment: CONT - control group (no supplementation), PEXT1 - combination of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) supplementation, PEXT2 – combination of cinnamon (Cinnamomum venum) + echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) + turmeric (Curcuma longa) supplementation as liquid form into drinking water. The supplementation was performed twice on weekly basis with an amount of 1 l / ton drinking water. The mean value of hen-housed and hen-day egg production, and egg weight were interestingly increased in the control group, than the PEXT1 and PEXT2 groups. However, a more efficient of FCR was found for the PEXT2 group. The breaking strength was found to be the highest in the eggs of PEXT1, whereas a higher value for shell thickness was observed in PEXT1 and PEXT2 groups. Egg yolk had a darker tone in the PEXT1 and PEXT2 groups. According to the results of the present study, it could be concluded that using a combination of cinnamon, echinacea and turmeric could improve feed efficiency. Furthermore, supplementation of plant extracts enhanced the egg quality, namely shell strength and yolk color, during the second cycle of egg production.