Effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice as a short-term water supplement during the peak production cycle in laying hens

Abstract

The objective of the study was to explore the effects of pomegranate juice (PJ) as a water supplement on performance, egg quality, and blood parameters in laying hens. For this purpose, a total of 72 Babcock laying hens, were divided into three groups, one control and two experiments (n = 24). Each main group consists of 4 subgroups, and each subgroup consists of 6 chickens. PJ was administered in drinking water at 0%, 5%, and 10% to the experimental groups for 4 weeks. Feed was offered to all groups ad libitum. The addition of PJ had no significant effect on performance parameters, Haugh unit, and egg breaking strength. The yolk color of the 5% PJ group was found to be lighter than the control and other experimental groups (P<0.05). The PJ did not affect serum glucose levels, serum lipid profile, liver enzyme levels, serum total protein levels, most of the hematological parameters, and serum Ca:P ratio in the present study, whereas there were linear and quadratic dose responses in AST, ALT, and HDL. Serum total Ca and P levels of 5% PJ supplemented birds were lower than 10% supplemented PJ birds, whereas it was similar to the control for both (P<0.05). Serum IgG levels were lower in both treatment groups than the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, using 5% of PJ as a short-term water supplement have some specific effects on the cholesterol metabolism of laying hens rather than performance and immunity.