Effects of ginger or ginger and thyme extract in laying hens feeding on productive results and eggs quality

Effects of ginger or ginger and thyme extract in laying hens feeding on productive results and eggs quality. This experiment was aimed at determining the potential of extracts from ginger and from ginger and thyme for enhancing the production performance of laying hens and eggs quality. A total of 216 laying hens were divided into 3 feeding groups: standard diet, diet with a 0.0032% addition of a ginger extract, and diet with the addition of ginger (0.0016%) and thyme (0.0016%). Fresh eggs were analyzed for: egg weight, yolk weight and yolk weight ratio to egg weight, yolk color, albumen quality, strength and thickness of the eggshell. Boiled eggs were analyzed for: yolk color, consistency, aroma, and taste. The results demonstrated that hen diet supplementation had a benefi cial effect on egg weight, but did not affect egg production rate nor feed conversion ratio. Fresh and hard-boiled eggs of the hens administered diet with a ginger extract addition were characterized by a darker color of the yolk. Both the ginger extract and the ginger + + thyme extract contributed to albumen quality improvement. Considering results obtained in this study, it seems advisable to investigate the feasibility of extending storage time of eggs of the hens fed a diet with various doses of a ginger and