Effects of using aromatic herbal extract or blend with organic acids on productive and physiological performance of poultry 1- egg production during hot summer season
Abstract: A total of 150 pullets of Dokki-4 strain at sexual maturity (24 wks old) were randomly chosen. Birds were allocated into five equal groups: a basal diet with no additives; two basal diets supplemented with RepaxolTM (mixture of volatile oils) at inclusion rate of 1 and 2 g/kg diet, respectively and another two basal diets supplemented with AvigroTM (blend of volatile oils along with organic acids) at inclusion rate of 1 and 2 g/kg diet, respectively. Treatments were conducted during summer season under 35-38°C at daylight and 30°C at night from 24 to 36 weeks of age.
During the experimental age (24-36) weeks, laying hens fed either Aromatic Herbal Extract or blended with organic acids showed statistically (P<0.05) improved body weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, laying rate, egg mass, egg weight and viability of birds compared to the control hens under high environmental temperature stress. Whilst, experimental treatments significantly (P<0.05) increased shell weight (%) and shell thickness as compared to control diets, however, Egg shape index, Yolk index and Haugh units were not affected. Besides, Albumin (%) significantly decreased and yolk % significantly increased by adding 2 g/kg level as compared to either 1g/kg level or control diets. Furthermore, fertility, hatchability, hatched chick weight percentages were significantly increased, however, abnormal chicks, dead eggs and infertile eggs percentages were significantly decreased by the experimental treatments. Also, Tri-iodothyronine (T3) and plasma total protein as well as albumin and globulin were significantly increased, however, creatinine, AST and ALT were not affected. Experimental treatments significantly decreased plasma total lipid and total cholesterol in comparison to the control. Newcastle disease antibody titers were significantly higher at level 2 g/kg of Herbal Extract or blended with organic acids than that at 1 g/kg level, which was significantly higher than that in the control group. Moreover, the usage of 1 and 2g/kg Herbal Extract or blended with organic acids in laying hens diets significantly (p<0.05) reduced E. coli concentration and completely disappearance of Clostridium perfringes bacteria in intestine (lleum and Caecum) of experimental hens. The results also demonstrated that the previous improvements were profound as the levels of both supplementations increased. From the nutritional, physiological and immunological point of view, under the present experimental conditions, it is advisable to add Aromatic Herbal Extract or blend with organic acids to laying hen diets at 2g/kg. Such practice helps in improving productive and immune performance parameters during hot environmental temperature (summer season).
Publication year 2009
Pages 489-510
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City طابا
serial title International Poultry Conference
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Egg production. Feed consumption. Feed conversion efficiency. Organic acids. Poultry. Viability. Warm season. Weight gain.
Proposed Agrovoc aromatic herbal extract;physiological performance;productive performance;laying rate;egg mass;egg weight;shell thickness;shell weight;
Publication Type Conference/Workshop
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