The effects of Rumex patientia leaf powder in laying hens’ diets on egg physical parameters and yolk color

Abstract

Abstract The experiment studied the effects of different levels of Rumex patientia spp. leaf powder inclusion in laying hens’ diets on their physical parameters and yolk color intensity. The study was conducted on 168 Hy-line laying hens (30 weeks aged), assigned in 3 treatment groups (C, E1 and E2) and housed in an experimental hall equipped with Big Dutchman cages, placed on 3 tiers with digestibility cages (3 treatments × 28 replicates × 2 birds per cage). Feed and water were administrated ad-libitum. During the entire 5 weeks experimental period (one week of accommodation), performance parameters were recorded: average daily feed intake(g/day/hen), feed conversion rate (g feed/g egg), laying rate intensity (%) and average egg weight (g). Eggs yolk color is generated by carotenoids as a nutritional response, which depends on their amount, type, and ratio. One of the most important aspects in how consumers rate the quality of food is color. The experimental results demonstrated that an inclusion rate of 1.5% and 3% Rumex patientia species leaves powder improved the yolk color intensity without negative effects on production performances and egg quality parameters.