Effects of aromatic plant extract mixture on laying efficiency, egg quality and antioxidant status in laying quails

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of commercial plant extract mixture added to laying quail rations on performance, egg quality, plasma antioxidant and blood biochemical parameters. In this experiment, 160 Japanese quails aged twelve weeks were equally divided into four groups of 40 (five replicates of 8 quails each). The study included a control and three treatment groups. The treatment groups were as follows: (1) 100 mg/kg aromatic plant extract mixture-group 1; (2) 150 mg/kg aromatic plant extract mixture-group 2 (3) 200 mg/kg aromatic plant extract mixture-group 3, respectively. When examined the egg parameters at the end of the study, significant differences (P<0.05) were found in the parameters of egg weight, Haugh unit (HU), albumen index, egg yolk color and eggshell thickness. Egg weight and eggshell thickness values were measured the highest (P<0.05) in group 1. HU, egg yellow color and albumen index values were found significantly higher (P<0.05) in all experimental groups compared to the control group. Significant differences (P<0.05) were determined in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) values of plasma antioxidant parameters in the study. In the study, High density lipoprotein (HDL) value, one of the blood (plasma) parameters, was found to be higher (P< 0.001) in the experimental groups. Consequently, we can say that the addition of herbal extract mixture to quail diets increases egg quality and has a positive effect on cholesterol and plasma antioxidant parameters.