This researh was carried out to determine the effects of adding different levels of fennel volatile oil (VO) to the laying quail diets on performance, internal-external egg quality parameters, and egg's oxidative stability. In the research, totally 105 (6-week-old) laying quails (Coturnix coturnix Pharaoh) were used. Quails were distributed into 3 main groups, and the main groups were also divided into 5 replicate groups. A basal diet that did not contain fennel VO was prepared for the control group, and fennel VO was added to the basal diet at 200 and 400 mg/kg levels for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Diets and water were given to quails ad libitum. The research continued for 56 days. At the end of current researh, the addition of fennel VO the quail diets did not effect feed efficiency, haugh unit, egg yolk color, egg weight, shape index, egg shell breaking strength. However, both levels of fennel VO increased feed intake (P<0.05), egg production (P≤0.001), eggshell thickness (P<0.001), and decreased the damaged eggs rate (P<0.05). While no difference was detected in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of egg yolks stored in the +4 ⁰C on day 1, but both levels of fennel VO significantly reduced MDA levels of egg yolks on days 7 and 28 (P<0.01). In this study; based on the data obtained from laying quails, it was concluded that fennel VO could be added to poultry rations as a natural feed additive.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Veterinary Sciences (Other) |
Journal Section | Research Article |
Authors | |
Early Pub Date | June 28, 2024 |
Publication Date | |
Submission Date | January 7, 2024 |
Acceptance Date | April 3, 2024 |
Published in Issue | Year 2024Accepted Papers |