Influence of Supplementation of Phytogenic Feed Additives on Egg Quality of Layer Quail

Background: Phytogenic feed additives (PFA) have enormous potential to replace commercial productive performance enhancer in layer quail diet that can be owed to their active principles, easy availability, non-toxic and residue-free nature. The present study was aimed to select an ideal PFA by evaluating the supplemental effect of various phytoadditives on egg quality indices. Methods: Three hundred sixty quail layers (6 weeks old; same hatch) were randomly distributed into eight groups (n=45), having three replicas of 15 quail layers per group. Basal diet was similar in all groups, except PFA supplementation. Different dietary groups were: Negative control (NC; contains no additive), positive control (PC; herbal growth promoter), whereas T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 groups were supplemented with 1% dietary additive namely turmeric, garlic, fenugreek, cumin, aloe vera and oregano powder, respectively. Eggs were evaluated for external and internal egg quality indices at monthly intervals, but yolk cholesterol was determined at end of trial. Result: Our investigations revealed that average monthly egg number was significantly increased (P less than 0.05) in the PC and PFA supplemented groups during the first 3 months of laying. Mean egg weight of the trial was found significantly higher in PC, T1, T2, T4 and lowest in NC, with intermediate egg weights for rest groups. Shell thickness was found highest in PC, T1, T3 and lowest in NC, T5, T6 whereas rest groups have intermittent values. However, shape index showed higher values in PC, T1 and lower values in NC and T3. Average Haugh unit was found significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in T1 than rest of the groups, but yolk index showed no significant difference. The cholesterol content of quail egg yolk (mg/g yolk) was highest in NC group followed by PC and lowest in T2 and T3. Cost benefit ratio was found highest in T1, T3 and T5 and was lowest in T6 group. It may be inferred that turmeric supplementation is comparable to commercial herbal additive in terms of egg quality of layer quail.